American author Nicholas Kaufmann has reiterated his plea to Filipinos to exclude him from online discussions regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case before the International Criminal Court (ICC). This follows ongoing confusion due to his name’s similarity to Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lead defense counsel.
Kaufmann, known for his horror and thriller novels, reported receiving numerous messages and comments, with individuals mistakenly identifying him as the lawyer. 1 He stated that the initial messages 0largely supported Duterte, but later included critical commentary, leading to online arguments within his comment sections.
Despite his attempts to clarify the misidentification, some individuals continue to believe he is the lawyer, citing a perceived resemblance. Kaufmann expressed confusion over this persistence. Despite his disclaimers, he also mentioned receiving requests for assistance in bringing Duterte home.
Kaufmann suggested that a language barrier may be contributing to the confusion. He acknowledged his limited knowledge of the Duterte situation and preferred0 to remain uninvolved in the related debates.
While the misidentification has frustrated Kaufmann, it has not negatively impacted his overall perception of Filipinos. He noted a distinction in the communication styles of those supporting and opposing Duterte.
Regarding potential inspiration for future writing, Kaufmann indicated that he might explore the situation once it has been resolved. He concluded by requesting that individuals cease including him in online discussions about Duterte’s ICC case.