Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest has led to a surge of disinformation, with claims that frame him as a victim and manipulate public perception.
False quotes from celebrities, fabricated videos of pro-Duterte rallies, and misleading narratives portraying his arrest as a “kidnapping” have flooded social media.
Fact-checking coalition Tsek.ph reported that nearly a quarter of its fact-checked articles since February have focused on disinformation about Duterte’s arrest, surpassing claims about Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment.
The disinformation has spread across platforms like Facebook and TikTok, with manipulated content reaching millions of people.
Additionally, the families of victims of Duterte’s drug war have faced increased harassment, with online attacks targeting women and human rights defenders involved in the case.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 22, 2025
