Lawmakers doubt authenticity of Duterte rally images

Two lawmakers in the Philippines have raised concerns about the authenticity of photos shared on social media regarding protests against the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. They believe some images from unrelated events were used to create the impression of large rallies. Rep. Paolo Ortega and Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong stated during a press briefing that people should be careful about misinformation regarding these gatherings. Ortega pointed out that some protest videos featured pink lights, which are commonly associated with former Vice President Leni Robredo's campaign. He noted this could indicate that images from other rallies might have been misrepresented. Adiong supported these claims by stating that there seems to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public into thinking there is widespread unrest related to Duterte's arrest. Although protests have occurred, Adiong emphasized that they are a form of free speech and not a sign of major civil unrest. The lawmakers mentioned that misinformation has surged since Duterte's arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11. For example, a media outlet fact-checked a viral post that falsely claimed thousands attended a prayer rally for Duterte, revealing it was actually footage from a festival held in January. Other officials have also criticized the spread of fake news, which they say reflects poorly on the country. Ortega highlighted that false information about Duterte's health and various narratives on social media have further complicated the situation. He called for vigilance against misinformation to ensure accurate public discourse.