Misleading posts have resurfaced on TikTok and Facebook, sharing an outdated news article about 166 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) testing positive for HIV. This old report, originally published by Gulf News on August 31, 2011, covered incidents from January to July of that year.
Recent shares of this story inaccurately present it as current news, with some posts even altering the original timeline to January through May. Social media users have been misled by these posts, although some have recognized and pointed out the report’s age.
The posts’ resurgence coincides with recent legal advancements, including a Supreme Court decision last month deeming it illegal to terminate employment based solely on an HIV-positive status. This follows a case involving an OFW in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, recent statistics from the Department of Health indicate a continued concern over HIV, with an average of 55 new cases daily in the Philippines.
