A misleading report distorts Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s words, as he opposed the extension of martial law in Mindanao during the Dec. 12 joint Congress session.
On Dec. 13, filipnews.org published a story headlined:
“MUST WATCH: MARTIAL LAW GUSTO NG TAGA MINDANAO PERO HINDI GUSTO NI CHIZ ESCUDERO (Mindanaoans want Martial Law but Chiz Escudero does not).”
It carried a 12-minute Youtube video with a thumbnail purporting to quote Escudero as saying:
“WALA AKONG PAKI KUNG GUSTO NG TAGA MINDANAO ANG MARTIAL LAW (I don’t care if Mindanaoans like Martial Law).”
Escudero made no such claim anywhere in the footage. The video, uploaded by TOKHANG TV, which has a history of posting false and misleading reports, featured a CNN Philippines live-stream of Escudero explaining his “no” vote on the proposed third martial law extension. The video extends to include AMIN Partylist Rep. Mending Makmod Jr.’s statement.
In his statement, Escudero emphasized that the “positive reception” of Mindanaoans is not a valid basis to extend martial rule in Mindanao till end-2019.
“Rebellion at (and) invasion, at hindi pagpapanatili ng (and not the maintenance of) peace and order, pagpapaganda ng ekonomiya at hindi dahil gusto ng tao ang magiging basehan ng (improvement of the economy and the people’s approval, should be the basis of) martial law,” Escudero said.
Filipnews.org’s misleading story, which could have reached over 1.45 million people, was posted a day after both houses of congress jointly voted to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2019.
Filipnews.org was created in January 2018 and Tokhang TV in November 2016.
(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
