Several Facebook posts claim that former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV said he is ready to sacrifice his life for the country. This is fake.
Between Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, at least seven Facebook pages and users published a graphic featuring an old version of the Presidential Communications Office logo and a cut-out photo of Trillanes. It had the following text attributed to him:
“‘If sacrificing my life for my country is what it takes, then so be it.’
‘HANDA AKONG MAMATAY’ (I am ready to die).”
Most of the posts were shared in Facebook groups apparently supportive of Trillanes. Their captions contained the same script, outlining his achievements, a part of which reads:
“Mula sa paglilingkod sa Philippine Navy na nagligtas sa mga sakay ng barkong lumubog,
Hanggang Oakwood Mutiny noong 2003 at Manila Peninsula Siege noong 2007- laban sa kurapsyon sa Arroyo administrasyon
Hanggang sa kanyang paglilingkod sa Senado mula 2007 hanggang 2019, naging bahagi ng pampublikong rekord ni dating Senador Antonio Trillanes IV ang kanyang mga hakbang at paninindigan sa mga usapin ng pamahalaan at anti-corruption legislation.
Hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay tumitindig laban sa mga abusadong mga buwaya’t anay sa ating lipunan tulad ng mga Duterte.
Isang mahalagang prinsipyo ang dapat manatili: sa paglaban sa korapsyon, walang dapat piliin at walang dapat iligtas sa pagsusuri. Anuman ang apelyido o posisyon, pananagutan ang dapat pairalin.
Para kay Trillanes, ang laban sa korapsyon ay laban para sa pananagutan.🦅⚔️🇵🇭
(From his service in the Philippine Navy—where he helped rescue passengers from a sunken ship—
To the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege—both directed against corruption within the Arroyo administration—
And through his tenure in the Senate from 2007 to 2019, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has consistently taken a firm stand on government issues and anti-corruption legislation, all of which are documented in the public record.
To this day, he continues to stand against the predatory and destructive elements in our society—the “crocodiles” and “termites”—such as the Dutertes.
One vital principle must remain: in the fight against corruption, no one should be spared from scrutiny. Regardless of one’s surname or position, accountability must prevail.
For Trillanes, the fight against corruption is a fight for accountability).”
Trillanes did not make such a statement, nor did the PCO provide any coverage of this fake information. The PCO logo used in the graphic had already been replaced in April 2023.
The erroneous post surfaced ahead of the Commission on Elections’ reopening of nationwide voter registrations beginning Nov. 10.
Trillanes previously said he would not run for public office in 2028.
The posts, published by Facebook pages Kumander Agila and Bangsamoro-UK Watch, and four other Facebook users collectively garnered at least 5,573 reactions; 3,566 comments; and 365 shares, as of writing.
