As former President Rodrigo Duterte faces accountability on the world stage, his camp has resorted to its tried and tested weapon: Fake news.
The recent flood of misinformation, strategically disseminated to deceive the public and cast Duterte as a victim, underscores the desperate state of his allies. However, their efforts have only resulted in self-inflicted embarrassment.
The lies and deception
One of the most glaring falsehoods spread by the Duterte camp was the claim that the Supreme Court had issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to halt his arrest. No such order existed. The Supreme Court itself promptly debunked this misinformation, exposing the lie for what it was—an attempt to mislead the Filipino people and rally sympathy for the embattled ex-president.
The falsehoods did not stop there. Another fabrication circulated on social media was the supposed mass resignation of police officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in protest of Duterte’s arrest. This, too, was a baseless claim with no factual basis.
Additionally, videos were widely shared depicting alleged pro-Duterte rallies in the Netherlands, supposedly demanding his return to the Philippines. However, upon closer inspection, these videos were traced back to an unrelated protest in Serbia.
Such tactics—using unrelated footage to manipulate public perception—are classic examples of digital propaganda aimed at fostering chaos and misinformation.
The failed asylum attempt
Beyond the lies, Duterte’s attempted escape to China further highlights his desperation. Intelligence reports confirm that Duterte sought political asylum from China, only to be rejected. This aligns with his abrupt trip to Hong Kong, which was disguised as a ‘meet-and-greet’ with overseas Filipino supporters but was, in reality, a last-ditch effort to evade justice.
The logic is clear: sensing an imminent arrest, Duterte and his inner circle scrambled for a way out. China, however, saw through the ploy. The former president, once considered a valuable ally by Beijing, had become a liability. His corruption, erratic behavior, and waning political influence made him unworthy of protection.
With no other option, Duterte was forced to return home and left to face the consequences of his actions.
A lesson in accountability and the duty to fight misinformation
Duterte’s downfall is a stark lesson: lies and arrogance eventually lead to a reckoning. The former president, who once wielded immense power, now finds himself abandoned and at the mercy of the system he once manipulated.
However, the fight against fake news is far from over. With the midterm elections approaching and the pre-trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) set for September, Duterte’s camp will undoubtedly ramp up its disinformation campaigns to regain political relevance.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of every vigilant citizen to call out these falsehoods. We cannot allow propaganda to distort the truth or manipulate public perception. If we, as a society, fail to combat the spread of lies, we risk enabling the resurgence of those who have abused power with impunity.
Fact-checking and media literacy must be prioritized now more than ever. The fight against fake news is not just about Duterte—it is about protecting democracy itself. The truth must always prevail.
