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The video provides no proof for its claim. Earlier, the AFP denied posts alleging unrest and resignations among military personnel following Duterte's arrest.
Claim: Officials of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have joined forces to plot against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the video posted on March 11 has garnered 60,815 views, 1,700 likes, and 300 comments.
The video’s title claims that MNLF and MILF officials who support Duterte have joined forces. Text on the thumbnail reads: “Malaking gulo? MNLF, MILF, retired general nagsanib pwersa na?” (Attack brewing? MNLF, MILF, and retired generals already joined forces?)
The video was uploaded on the same day that Duterte was arrested upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport through a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte faces a crimes against humanity case in relation to his administration’s bloody drug war that killed close to 30,000 people, as well as the extrajudicial killings in Davao City when he was mayor. (READ: Inside story: Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC arrest)
The facts: There are no reports of the MNLF, MILF, and retired military generals plotting against the Marcos government. The video provides no proof for its claim, only featuring clips of Duterte.
On March 13, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) denied posts circulating online alleging unrest and resignations among military personnel following Duterte’s arrest. Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala stated in an interview, “We have not received any report na yung mga sundalo nagre-resign. Kung social media lang yang basis natin definitely, di natin mapaniwalaan yan.”
(We have not received any report that soldiers are resigning. If social media is the only basis [for these claims], then definitely we should not believe that.)
Talks of a destabilization plot were abuzz last year, as former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that Duterte was behind an alleged ouster plot against Marcos along with several members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
An earlier call to oust Marcos was also made by Davao del Norte 1st District Pantaleon Alvarez over the Marcos administration’s stance on the West Philippine Sea. The PNP and AFP have rejected both claims.
MNLF, MILF, and the Marcos administration: High-ranking officials of the MNLF pledged their support for the Marcos administration during the 4th MNLF Convergence Meeting in August 2024. In a message, MNLF Founding Chairperson Nur Misuari said, “We say that the MNLF is a natural ally of the President in empowering our people to pursue greatness, recalling very clearly the statement of the late President Marcos Sr. who said ‘This nation shall be great again.”
The MILF meanwhile expressed concerns over Marcos’ new appointments in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). In an editorial by the MILF’s Committee on Information, the MILF argued that Marcos’ new appointees were not officially endorsed by the MILF, which may violate the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The spokesperson for the BTA, however, asserted: “The Bangsamoro Transition Authority is still MILF-led.” (READ: MILF central committee frowns on BARMM leadership change)
Duterte’s arrest: On March 11, Duterte became the first former Asian head of state to be arrested through a warrant issued by the ICC over crimes against humanity. The arrest warrant stated that Duterte “used the direct perpetrators of the crimes as tools to commit the crimes.”
His bloody war on drugs has claimed the lives of around 30,000 people, according to various counts by human rights organizations. – Ramon Franco Verano/Rappler.com
Ramon Franco Verano is a graduate of Rappler’s volunteer program. He is a fourth year History student at the University of Santo Tomas. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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