MISLEADING: Alleged billion-peso drug delivery to Baste Duterte’s residence

A post circulating online claims that there were P250 billion pesos worth of drugs confiscated in Davao City, which were purported to be sent to Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte

CLAIM:
The post explained that a van driver, unaware of the P250-billion worth of drugs in the vehicle, was instructed by his Chinese employer to deliver the boxes containing the objects to Baste Duterte’s residence.

RATING: MISLEADING

CONCLUSION:
The statement shown in the post, alongside its photo, was taken directly from another source in a completely different context, not only misusing an existing piece of media but also prompting clarifications online.

THE FACTS:

• The photo in the post originally came from a post a few days earlier by Bombo Radyo Bacolod, whereas the confiscation of illegal cigarettes in one of Bacolod’s police stations was the original context with the photo.
• The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) issued a statement a day after the post was made, condemning it and confirming its falsehood.
• The post was made six days after former senator Antonio Trillanes IV aired that the Duterte family was handed P181.6 million worth of drug money from Sammy Uy, a so-called “drug lord”.

THE BOTTOMLINE:
The misuse of different media sources spread unverified news to the public. The information utilized held a mix of political assumptions and repurposed images, also adding turbulence to the ongoing political feud.