Several graphic posts claiming that a Chinese tycoon named “Redora Unclemi Hong” is set to donate 700,000 barrels of crude oil to Davao City. This is satire.
“Redora Unclemi Hong” is a made-up name. The person shown beside Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte in the graphic is not a Chinese tycoon, but a man known online as “Red Uncle,” who gained notoriety as a scammer linked to a viral sex scandal in July 2025.
A Facebook user first posted the graphic on April 3, with the caption:
“Domo arigato red uncle.
(Thank you very much, Red Uncle).”
The original version of the post clearly displayed a “Satire News International” label at the top of the graphic. When VERA Files Fact Check analyzed the image using AI-detection tool Hive Moderation, results showed a 99.9% likelihood that it was AI-generated.
The same graphic later resurfaced in FB groups supportive of the Duterte family with the “Satire” label removed. This alteration misled several netizens who thought it was true based on their comments:
“Thank you so much…SA Davao LNG sila mgbibigay dahil inabandon Ng national Hindi binigyan Ng budget my awa ang Dios at Hindi natutulog.
(Thank you so much… They will only give it to Davao because the national government abandoned it and did not give a budget. God is merciful and never sleeps.)”
“Wow congratulation Davao City headed by MAYOR BASTE DUTERTE and local officials for many many blessings laban lng ingat mo s kanunay gd luck and god bless po to everyone and to all DAVAWENYOS
(Wow, congratulations to Davao City, led by Mayor Baste Duterte and the local officials, for many blessings. Just keep fighting and always take care. Good luck and God bless everyone, especially all Davaoeños.)”
“Doon po Sila nagbigay dahil naka cguro Sila na Hindi ito Maibu bulsa,cguradong matatanggap sa totoong taong bayan na hindi naka maleta.
(They chose to give it there because they are sure it won’t be pocketed. It will definitely reach the right people, not those who put it in suitcases.)”
Some 700,000 barrels of crude oil from Russia did arrive in the Philippines on March 23, but this was not a private donation to a specific local government unit. These satirical posts began circulating on April 3, following previous similar claims fact-checked by VERA Files involving a supposed fuel shipment from Wadiya to Davao.
Published by multiple FB users, these posts have amassed over 14,046 reactions; 1,304 comments; and 1,237 shares.
Editor’s note: This fact check was produced with the help of a journalism student from Bicol University as part of their internship at VERA Files.
