A fake video circulating on social media claims to showcase a rally supporting Vice President Sara Duterte amidst her ongoing controversies in the Philippines. However, The Global Filipino Magazine has independently debunked the video, which features footage from unrelated events.
The video, shared by a user identified as Junsuper Superales, has garnered nearly 800,000 views and over 5,000 shares as of this writing. The footage includes clips from the recently concluded Dubai Run 2024, which saw 278,000 runners participating on November 24, 2024, and interlaces this with another video showing crowds chanting “Duterte.” Additionally, clips from Pope Francis’ visit to East Timor in September 2024 are also misleadingly featured.
Text overlays in the video further fuel the false narrative, stating:
“Sobrang mahal ang mga Duterte mula noon hanggang ngayon.”
The fabricated video has elicited mixed reactions online, with some users believing its claims and others calling for fact-checking:
“Thank u lord guide vp Sara durty family durty god will.”
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me Lord. God bless you Maam VP.”
“We loved you so much Duterte, we want to see and experience again your leadership through your daughter Sarah.”
“Fact Check! Videos were taken from Dubai Run 2024 and Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Timor-Leste last September.”
The Dubai Run 2024, an annual event celebrating fitness and community spirit in the UAE, was attended by thousands of residents and visitors but had no connection to any political gatherings. Similarly, the footage from Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to East Timor was taken during a spiritual event and not related to any support for Vice President Duterte.
The fake video emerges amidst Vice President Duterte’s intensifying political rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In a controversial statement made on November 23, 2024, Duterte admitted to contracting an assassin to target President Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were to be killed. The statement has led to legal actions, including a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) subpoena and formal complaints from the Philippine National Police (PNP) citing grave threats and potential violations of anti-terrorism laws.
Furthermore, Duterte’s supporters have recently rallied at the EDSA Shrine, with around 100 individuals camping overnight as of November 27, 2024, according to the PNP.
