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The original video shows a crowd of four million people in Argentina following their 2022 FIFA World Cup win over France
Claim: A massive crowd has gathered in Recto, Manila, in what seems to be a show of support for former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The claim can be found on a Facebook reel posted by user Greg Gharzjr. As of writing, it has around 2.1 million plays, 30,800 reactions, 8,300 comments, and 11,000 shares.
The video claims to show a crowd of people supposedly gathering in Recto: “Recto Manila right now punong puno ng tao | Sobrang dami ng tao” (Recto, Manila right now so full of people | So many people).
The song “Bayan Ko” by Freddie Aguilar plays as the video’s background music. The song was recently played in pro-Duterte rallies held at Villamor Air Base and Pagadian City, Zamboanga. Both of these rallies happened after Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11, over crimes against humanity.
Several social media user comments link Duterte’s arrest to the massive crowd, suggesting that the video shows real footage of a gathering in support of the former president.
The facts: The video does not show a crowd gathering in Recto.
Instead, it shows a crowd in Argentina celebrating their country’s FIFA World Cup win over France on December 18, 2022, with a score of 4-2. A video uploaded on the YouTube channel ESPN FC on December 21, 2022, which matches the misleading Facebook reel, has the following description: “4 MILLION people in the streets of Argentina.”
ESPN FC also posted on Facebook a photo of the same crowd on December 20, 2023, with the accompanying description: “One year ago today, an estimated 4 MILLION people filled the streets of Buenos Aires for Argentina’s World Cup champions parade.”
Vera Files published on March 14 a fact-check debunking the claim from another Facebook user. The same video was also used for another false claim that the crowd shows protesters in Venezuela; AFP Fact Check has published a fact-check debunking this on August 8, 2024.
Previous related fact-checks: Rappler has fact-checked several claims misrepresenting the place, time, and purpose of some crowds, sometimes with manipulated audio. Here are fact-checks of those claims published in 2025:
- FACT CHECK: ‘Duterte’ chants in video are manipulated, not taken in Netherlands (March 13, 2025)
- FACT CHECK: Video of crowd chanting ‘Impeach Sara Now’ in Hong Kong is fake (March 13, 2025)
- FACT CHECK: Video of 2024 Cebu concert misrepresented as Duterte rally crowd (February 25, 2025)
- FACT CHECK: Duterte chants fabricated in video of Alyansa slate rally (February 20, 2025)
- FACT CHECK: ‘Duterte!’ chants fabricated in video of Marcos at Palarong Pambansa 2024 (January 6, 2025)
- FACT CHECK: Video shows 2015 INC protest, not pro-Duterte rally (January 6, 2025)
Duterte’s arrest: Following Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague, various false claims circulated online: from fake quote cards expressing support for the former president to the supposed dismissal of Duterte’s case. (READ: [DECODED] How online supporters made a victim of Duterte after ICC arrest)
Duterte, who faces a crimes against humanity charge related to his bloody war on drugs, appeared before the ICC for the first time on March 14, where he confirmed his identity and was reminded of the charges against him and his rights.
Duterte’s next hearing for the confirmation of charges is set for September 23. (LIVE UPDATES: Rodrigo Duterte arrested over ICC case) – Percival Bueser/ Rappler.com
Percival Bueser is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. 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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