MANILA — A viral photo claiming that relatives of drug war victims were carrying luxury designer bags has been debunked by fact-checkers, with major news outlets confirming that the image was digitally altered to mislead the public. 

The manipulated photo, which circulated widely on Facebook and other platforms, showed human rights advocate Rubilyn Litao and victims’ relatives Llore Pasco and Sheerah Escudero allegedly holding expensive bags during a public event.

ABS-CBN’s Research and Verification Unit clarified that the photo was fake, stressing that the women were not carrying luxury items at the time. Rappler and other fact-checking organizations also confirmed that the viral image was edited to discredit families of drug war victims and human rights groups. 

Lawyer Kristina Conti, who represents some of the victims’ families, said the doctored photo was “intended to convince the public that the victims’ families have been paid off. They are not, and never have been.”

The false claim gained traction after being shared by pro-Duterte social media personalities, including Cathy Binag, whose page has hundreds of thousands of followers. The post garnered tens of thousands of reactions, shares, and comments, fueling disinformation around the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) ongoing investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Fact-checkers emphasized that such disinformation campaigns aim to undermine the credibility of victims’ families and advocates by portraying them as opportunists. In reality, many of these families continue to struggle financially while seeking justice for their loved ones.

The incident highlights the growing challenge of combating misinformation in the Philippines, particularly on social media platforms where manipulated content spreads rapidly. Experts warn that these tactics not only distort public perception but also deepen divisions in society by casting doubt on legitimate human rights claims.

As the ICC proceedings move forward, advocates stress the importance of verifying information and supporting victims’ families against attempts to discredit them. The debunked photo serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in distinguishing fact from fabrication in the digital age.

Image from Kristina Conti