Viral report on Duterte incognito in Muntinlupa is fake, says GMA News

If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably fake.

On Mon, Jul 18, a Facebook page called Duterte for Real Change shared a Manila Livewire report about how Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has allegedly been roaming the streets of Metro Manila incognito on his motorbike.

The Manila LIvewire report itself was based on a post by a Facebook page called DU34s/Duterte Force.

 

 

In Muntinlupa City, it said, Duterte inspected the traffic situation and came to the conclusion that vendors were responsible for causing the traffic jam around one of the city’s wet markets. 

“So he rode his motorcyle straight to the office of Fresnedi (the current mayor of Muntinlupa City) and the guard at the Mayor’s office didn’t allow him to enter becase he had his helmet on,” it continued.

The post on the Duterte for Real Change FB page was shared by 17,500 people and liked 36,300 times.

 

 

Considering the President’s character, the story is not completely out-of-this-world. He did roam around Davao at night when he was still mayor. 

But this particular tale, alas, is not true.

Last night, the Muntinlupa local government debunked the viral story in a GMA News article. 

“It is not true,” said Public Information Officer Tez Navarro. “How we wish [he will visit]. We will be honored to have the President in Muntinlupa.” 

GMA News reached out to presidential spokesperson Ernie Abella, Presidential Communications Officer chief Martin Andanar, and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go for comment but they are yet to respond. 

Meanwhile, staunch Duterte supporter Mocha Uson also had something to say. 

“Mga ka-DDS wag po tayong basta basta maniniwala sa mga bali-balita sa Social Media. Gawain po ng mga dilawan ito noong panahong ng campaign upang ma discredit ang mga DUTERTE Supporters. Nagpapalabas sila ng kung ano ano balita upang iligaw ang mga issue at pasinungalingan ang mga Duterte Page,” Mocha said on her post. 

(“Duterte die-hard supporters, don’t easily believe the news you see on social media. The yellow camp used to do this to discredit the Duterte supporters. They release different kinds of news to stray away from important issues and discredit Duterte pages.”)

 

Mocha clarified that GMA News did not publish the original story, and in fact, should be credited for pointing out that the Manila Livewire report was fake. 

Manila Livewire Digital Media Group “is a group of writers and creative editors which bring relevant and useful news and articles. We are dedicated in reporting recent topics or write something about it to bring a deeper point of views,” according to its website.

It’s About Us section does not provide a masthead. 

 

 

Mocha, who was able to score an exclusive interview with the President in spite of his decision to boycott the media, also encouraged her fellow Duterte supporters to spread the truth about the fake article.

 



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