logo
Bogus Duterte report used to drive traffic to e-commerce site

Bogus Duterte report used to drive traffic to e-commerce site

Yahoo17-07-2025
A fabricated news graphic claiming the International Criminal Court (ICC) in July issued a lengthy jail sentence to former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has circulated on Facebook. The 80-year-old Duterte is still awaiting a confirmation of charges hearing for alleged crimes against humanity; the false posts meanwhile direct users to a product sold on a popular e-commerce platform.
"The ICC meted a 'reclusion perpetua' sentence on ex-Pres Duterte because of [extrajudicial killings]," reads the bogus graphic shared July 8, 2025 on Facebook.
The post, which has been taken down, bears the logo of broadcaster ABS-CBN and its flagship news programme TV Patrol, and includes an old photo of Duterte (archived here, here and here).
Reclusion perpetua, a term used in Philippine law, refers to imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years and one day to a maximum of 40 years (archived link).
Duterte remains in detention at the ICC awaiting a court hearing scheduled in September to confirm his charges. He stands accused of crimes against humanity over his government's brutal "war on drugs" that rights groups say killed thousands (archived link).
The former president is currently seeking an interim release to an unnamed country (archived link).
The supposed news graphic, also shared on multiple Facebook groups, carried an identical caption and link that purports to show the complete news report.
Comments show people appeared to believe it was a genuine image from ABS-CBN.
"ABS-CBN is taking revenge because [Duterte] shut you down," one wrote, referring to when the former leader's government forced the broadcaster off air in 2020 (archived link).
"ABS-CBN, I don't believe your news reports!" another said.
Jonathan de Santos, deputy editor at ABS-CBN News, told AFP on July 11 the organisation did not release the circulating graphic.
He also shared an article on ABS-CBN's website that debunked a similar post in June (archived link).
A review of the link shared in the false posts found it is a masked URL that leads to a product sold over e-commerce platform Lazada (archived link).
A spokesperson for Lazada said the company reviewed the post and found it "contains misleading content with affiliate links that direct users to Lazada".
The company has an affiliate program where content creators can apply to earn commission through promoting a brand or product available at the online store (archived link).
"We are taking appropriate action with this page/account given this activity directly violates the LazAffiliates Terms and Conditions," the spokesperson told AFP on July 15.
AFP has repeatedly debunked misinformation around Duterte's arrest and detention here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

EU-China ties at 'inflection point', von der Leyen says
EU-China ties at 'inflection point', von der Leyen says

Yahoo

time11 hours ago

  • Yahoo

EU-China ties at 'inflection point', von der Leyen says

STORY: :: Ursula von der Leyen says the China-EU trade relationship needs more balance :: Beijing, China :: July 24, 2025 :: Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President 'Unlike other major markets, Europe keeps its market open to Chinese goods. This reflects our longstanding commitment to rules-based trade. However, this openness is not matched by China.' "So we have reached a clear inflection point. As we said to the Chinese leadership, for trade to remain mutually beneficial it must become more balanced. Europe welcomes competition. We like competition, but competition has to be fair." Expectations were low for the summit in the Chinese capital marking 50 years of diplomatic ties after weeks of escalating tension and wrangling that led to the duration being abruptly halved to a single day at Beijing's request. Von der Leyen told the press that the Chinese leadership has started to look into the overcapacity issue, and expressed willingness to support more consumption. Solve the daily Crossword

Taiwanese rally for and against the recall of opposition lawmakers seen as close to China
Taiwanese rally for and against the recall of opposition lawmakers seen as close to China

Washington Post

time12 hours ago

  • Washington Post

Taiwanese rally for and against the recall of opposition lawmakers seen as close to China

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Threats from China and anger over legislative deadlock are dominating Taiwan's political discourse as residents rally for and against a campaign to recall two dozen opposition Nationalist Party lawmakers in polling to be held on Saturday. Thousands of supporters of the independence-leaning ruling Democratic Progressive Party turned out in the heart of the capital Taipei on Thursday to hear from civil society activists, writers, musicians and others who support the recalls, which could potentially give the party, also known as the DPP, a majority in the legislature.

6 College Students Drown During Visit to Mine After Grate They Were Standing on Gives Way: Reports
6 College Students Drown During Visit to Mine After Grate They Were Standing on Gives Way: Reports

Yahoo

time13 hours ago

  • Yahoo

6 College Students Drown During Visit to Mine After Grate They Were Standing on Gives Way: Reports

Six college students from China have reportedly drowned during a field visit to a mine in northern China's Inner Mongolia region. According to NBC News, Reuters and local outlet China Daily, the students from Northeastern University were visiting the copper molybdenum mine at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, when the tragedy occurred. The pupils were looking at the flotation process when the grid plate they were standing on suddenly gave way, resulting in them falling into a flotation tank, per NBC News, citing local news agency Xinhua, According to Reuters and China Daily, a teacher was also injured in the incident. The mine is reportedly operated by Zhongjin Gold, a subsidiary of the state-owned China National Gold Group. 'Despite rescue efforts, all six students were confirmed drowned after being pulled from the tank. One teacher was also injured,' Zhongjin Gold said in a company filing on Thursday, per NBC News. According to Reuters, an emergency plan was activated by Zhongjin Gold following the incident. The students were pronounced dead by medical staff after being rescued from the tank, per China Daily. PEOPLE has contacted Zhongjin Gold and Northeastern University for comment. According to NBC News, principal and vice chancellor of Edinburgh-based Heriot-Watt University, Richard Williams, said a person that falls in the tank could pass through thick foam on top 'and then find themselves in a mixed slurry or in contact with the mixer blades.' 'These types of accidents are rare. But mine safety remains a global challenge due to the nature of the work,' he added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to Williams, who has a background in mineral engineering, flotation tanks are used to separate different types of small mineral particles, per the outlet. Read the original article on People

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store