A content creator on YouTube and Facebook is deceiving his viewers with a video stating Sen. Bato Dela Rosa has been captured by authorities. This is not true.
On May 18, the YouTube channel JIL Review TV published a video with the headline:
“BREAKING! BATO DELA ROSA NAHULI NA! GINULAT LAHAT NI NBI ATTY MATIBAG! SARA INIWAN NG TAGA DAVAO
(Breaking! Bato Dela Rosa caught! NBI’s Atty Matibag shocks everyone! Sara left by fellow Davaoeño)!”
Its thumbnail bore the same claim with the text: “Ayun! Bato nahuli na! Ginulat lahat ni NBI Atty Matibag (There we go! Bato caught! NBI’s Atty. Matibag shocks everyone)!” The false post was promoted on YouTube channel’s FB page of the same name.
Dela Rosa, who is once again in hiding amid the International Criminal Court’s issuance of an arrest warrant against him, has not been apprehended. Neither has National Bureau of Investigation director Melvin Matibag announced his arrest.
The senator’s whereabouts remain unknown after he left the Senate premises early morning of May 14, several hours following a shooting incident inside the building. Prior to this, Dela Rosa had been staying at the Senate under protective custody beginning May 11.
JIL Review TV‘s false thumbnail and headline served as clickbait for a 109-minute video filled with ads. No proof was given to its claim, although a red text box throughout the video states: “Nahuli si Bato Dela Rosa (Bato Dela Rosa has been caught)!”
The post only carries clips of the channel owner named “Ivan” and footage grabbed from news reports, podcasts and videos by other content creators about the events that transpired last week at the Senate.
Dela Rosa made a surprise appearance at the Senate on May 11 because he said he was the crucial 13th vote needed to change the Senate leadership. NBI agents attempted to serve him the ICC warrant earlier that day, but the Senator managed to enter the plenary hall and vote. The new Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano then granted him protective custody. Dela Rosa had been in hiding for about six months prior.
The false video posted by YouTube channel JIL Review TV (created June 16, 2015) has gotten over 83,000 views, 6,600 likes and 1,500 comments. Its FB page (created May 13, 2021) received 213 reactions, 99 comments and 7 shares for its post.
