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A closer analysis using the FakeImageDetector tool shows that the images have an 80% chance of being computer generated and modified.
A claim: Photos circulating online show senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros with the young suspects of the June 22 school massacre in Tacloban City.
Rating: FALSE
Why we looked at these facts: Various photos have been circulating online showing Pangilinan and Hontiveros with the people they allegedly shot on June 22. event at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City. There are also videos circulating online with the same claim.
One of the posts was uploaded on June 23 and has since received over 820 views, 360 comments and 70 shares. The post was accompanied by the caption, “The suspect in the shooting in Tacloban City, needs the love of his family more now.”
(The suspect in the Tacloban City shooting needs the love of his family now more than ever.)
The post was shared in the Facebook group “SARA DUTERTE SUPPORTERS,” which has more than 494,100 members.
Another post published on the same date has generated more than 50 comments and 35 shares. The photos were uploaded by Facebook user “Gian Paolo De Torres,” who has more than 112,000 followers.
Facts: Close analysis using Fake Photo Detectoran online program that performs error rate analysis on images to determine if they have been altered, revealed that the images had been altered 80% computer generated and modifiedand shows the random local pixel entropy.
There is also no official report or update from Pangilinan, Hontiverosor authorities confirming that the senators have met with any suspect in the Tacloban City school shooting. The false claim may have been based on online posts linking Pangilinan and Juvenile justice law adopted in 2006, which he written and sponsored.
The June 22 shooting involved two children, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old. Preliminary investigations by the Philippine National Police indicated that the children appeared to have plan the attack.
Three students were killed and 15 others were injured after the suspects fired about 34 shots, according to police investigation.
False rules: Under Republic Act No. 9344or the Children’s Rights and Welfare Act of 2006, children who are in conflict with the law are subject to various legal measures depending on their age.
Under the law, children aged 15 and under at the time of the offense will be “exempted from criminal liability” but will be placed under an intervention program. Meanwhile, a child over the age of 15 but under the age of 18 “shall also not be criminally liable and subject to an intervention program, unless he has acted reasonably, in which case, the child shall be subject to appropriate action…”
This means that children in conflict with the law they are still held accountablealthough the process different from offenders who have reached the age of criminal responsibility. (READ: A murder complaint was filed against a 15-year-old student in the Tacloban school attack)
Following the Tacloban school shooting, Pangilinan noted that there spread of disinformation that surrounds the law, and insists that it does not exempt children who conflict with the law from responsibility. (READ: (Pinoy Criminology) Tacloban school shooting and the challenge of children’s justice)
“It is not fair that petty criminals cannot be held accountable. Violence has no place in our communities, especially in places that should be safe for children,” He said.
(It is not right that a young child who commits a crime is not punished. Violence has no place in our society, especially in places that should be safe for children).
He too resist re-call to reduce the age of criminal liability.
Solved: Rappler has previously denied other claims involving manipulation of public officials’ photos:
– Reinard Balonzo/Rappler.com
Let us know about suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let’s fight the distortions of reality one by one.
