Multiple viral satire posts claim that leaders of the Republic of Wadiya, Omar and Haffaz Aladeen, are sending gasoline to Davao City as a form of aid.
Both Omar and Haffaz Aladeen are fictional characters from the 2012 comedy film The Dictator, which was set in the fictional Republic of Wadiya.
An FB page posted a satirical news card on March 23 with the headline:
“Omar Aladeen ng bansang Wadiya, magpapadala ng gasolina para sa Davao
(Omar Aladeen of the country Wadiya will send gasoline to Davao).”
The news card included a picture of Admiral-General Haffaz Aladeen from the 2012 political satire. Another version has Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte shaking hands with Aladeen.
A separate iteration of the satirical claim includes a quote card from the admiral-general. It bore an image featuring him and his uncle Tamir Aladeen, and carried this text:
“THE SUPREME LEADER OF THE REPUBLIC OF WADIYA, GENERAL HAFFAZ ALADEEN, HAS OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED THAT HE WILL BE PROVIDING A SUPPLY OF GASOLINE TO DAVAO AS A FORM OF AID.
This gesture highlights the close relationship established between General Aladeen and Former President Duterte during his term. The fuel assistance is expected to bolster the local supply in the region.”
The quote card had the caption:
“Kumpirmado! Fuel Aid mula sa Wadiya, Darating sa Davao!
Magbibigay ng supply ng gasolina ang General ng Republic of Wadiya na si Haffaz Aladeen para sa Davao bilang tulong o AID. Matatandaang naging malapit si General Aladeen at si Dating Pangulong Duterte noong kanyang termino, at ang hakbang na ito ay simbolo ng kanilang patuloy na ugnayan.
Abangan ang mga susunod na detalye sa mahalagang balitang ito
(Confirmed! Fuel Aid from Wadiya, Arriving in Davao!
General Haffaz Aladeen of the Republic of Wadiya will provide a supply of gasoline to Davao as assistance or AID. It is remembered that General Aladeen became close to former president Duterte during his term, and this move is a symbol of their continuing ties.
Stay tuned for more details on this important news)!”
Tamir is also a fictional character in The Dictator. The movie was set in the Republic of Wadiya, a fictional rogue nation in North Africa.
The character in the photos is Haffaz Aladeen, played by actor-comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. The viral news cards mistakenly identified him as his father, Omar Aladeen, the former ruler of Wadiya in the film’s lore.
Ben Kingsley played Tamir Aladeen, Haffaz’s treacherous uncle and advisor who secretly plots to overthrow him and turn Wadiya into a democracy.
As of writing, a version of the satirical news card published by Facebook page Malacañang Events and Catering Services has garnered over 38,000 reactions; 2,300 comments; and 9,400 shares.
Another version of the news card published by Facebook user Neil has amassed over 13,000 reactions; 745 comments; and 1,700 shares.
The satirical quote card published by Facebook user Juan Pablo has gathered over 3,000 reactions; 1,000 comments; and 144 shares.
