GCQ FAKE NEWS

Metro Manila GCQ Fake News

Written by: Jeza Siguenza

Source: Circulating fake post on social media (2025). Fabricated image falsely claiming a nationwide lockdown due to Mpox.

Everything started when a red image suddenly spread on Facebook, X (Twitter), and even TikTok. It showed bold white text that said “Metro Manila placed under General Community Quarantine, June 09, 2025 , Monday.” At first glance, it looked real. The image carried the ABS-CBN News logo, used the same layout and font style that people were familiar with, and even included what looked like official links and a page name called “Gov.ph Update.” The caption sounded formal and used government-like phrases such as “bilang pag-iingat” and “kasalukuyang kaso ng Mpox virus.” Many people believed it right away because it felt similar to the real COVID-19 announcements from 2020 to 2021. Within a few hours, that post went viral and was shared thousands of times. People began talking about another lockdown, some started panic buying again, and others asked their schools if classes would be suspended. The fake news spread fast because it used fear and familiarity which made people forget to verify what they saw. Later on, the truth came out when real media and fact-checking groups stepped in to explain what really happened.

Source: ABS-CBN News (May 31, 2025). “Amid online rumors, DOH says no lockdown due to Mpox.” Retrieved from ABS-CBN News official Facebook page.

The first one to react and investigate was ABS-CBN News, the network whose name was used in the fake graphic. Their research and verification team immediately confirmed that they never released that announcement. They checked the image and discovered that it used an old news template from years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. The text was edited to make it look like a new advisory. Someone took a real design from their old posts and changed the words to trick people into believing it was new. ABS-CBN compared the fake photo to their real official templates and noticed that the color, date placement, and font thickness were not the same. They also pointed out that the supposed link in the post did not lead to their official website. Their statement made it clear that this was not a mistake but a deliberate act of misinformation. They reminded the public that real announcements are only posted on their verified pages and main website. With this evidence, ABS-CBN proved that the viral image was fake and intentionally edited to spread confusion.

Source: PressOne.PH (June 5, 2025). “Fact Check: False claims about a Metro Manila lockdown due to Mpox spread through fake Facebook pages.” Retrieved from PressOne.PH official Facebook page.

After ABS-CBN News released its statement, PressOnePH also investigated the issue. PressOnePH is an independent fact-checking organization that focuses on verifying information circulating online. Their team traced the origin of the post and found that it first appeared on newly created Facebook pages that imitated official government accounts. These pages had names such as “Gov.ph Update” to make themselves appear credible. PressOnePH found that the same fake GCQ photo was shared across different local community groups, which showed that the spread of the post might have been coordinated. They examined the image file and confirmed that it was digitally edited and not a screenshot from a real ABS-CBN page. The links in the caption either led to error pages or unrelated content, which proved that the source was not official. PressOnePH also highlighted an important error in the fake post. It used the phrase “Mpox COVID-19 variant,” which makes no scientific sense. Mpox and COVID-19 come from completely different viruses. This incorrect term was another sign that the post was fake. Their full report included comparisons and screenshots that clearly showed the deception. PressOnePH’s detailed work exposed how these false posts often try to use fear to make people believe quickly without checking.

Source: Department of Health (2025). “DOH Advisory: DOH warns against fake Facebook posts about lockdown due to Mpox.” Retrieved from the official DOH Facebook page.

Finally, the Department of Health (DOH) made its own statement to completely stop the rumors. The DOH confirmed that there was no plan, no directive, and no government order to place Metro Manila under GCQ or any type of lockdown on June 9, 2025. They clearly said that Mpox is not related to COVID-19 and that there is no such thing as an “Mpox COVID-19 variant.” The DOH explained that Mpox cases in the country were being monitored but were under control. They also reminded the public that Mpox is not airborne and does not spread the same way as COVID-19. The reason used in the fake post was not scientifically correct. The DOH said that fake posts like this one cause unnecessary panic and can make people doubt real health advisories. They encouraged everyone to follow only their official pages for updates. The department’s statement gave final proof that the circulating image was not true.

When we combine all the findings from ABS-CBN News, PressOnePH, and the Department of Health, all evidence leads to one clear conclusion. The viral GCQ post is fake news. It used an old ABS-CBN template, added edited text, inserted false links, and included wrong information about the Mpox virus. ABS-CBN proved it was not theirs. PressOnePH traced the spread of the image and confirmed that it was manipulated. The DOH clarified that no lockdown was ever planned. These three credible sources proved that the post was a complete fabrication. This incident teaches an important lesson. In a world where anyone can post and edit images, people should always verify first before believing and sharing. Truth may travel slower than lies, but it always reaches the people who take time to check what is real.