Julia Christine Botin

'My truth': Why vlogger said EJK victims under Duterte 'a massive hoax'

Article (news)

Joselito Malig

Eight of the 11 subpoenaed vloggers, including former press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, columnist Mary Jane Quiambao-Reyes, and writer Krizette Laureta-Chu, attended the third hearing on fake news by the House Tri-Committee at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Friday, March 21, 2025. The inquiry, seeks to address the spread of disinformation and its impact on public discourse, particularly in the lead-up to the 2025 elections. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

Vlogger Mary Jane “MJ” Quiambao Reyes defended Friday her social media post labeling victims of extrajudicial killings allegedly under former president Rodrigo Duterte as a “massive hoax.”In a Facebook post, Quiambao wrote: “The anti-Duterte propagandists—likely funded by drug cartels, terrorists, corrupt politicians, greedy oligarchs, and narco-politicians—are desperately trying to manipulate the global narrative. They want you to believe that every young life lost was at the hands of our People&#x27;s President Rody Duterte . This is a blatant LIE.”This did not sit well with Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante who questioned Quiambao if she had documents to prove her claims.He pointed out that a congressional inquiry had proven that there were extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration.<div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]]</div>In her FB post, Quiambao said “so-called victims” that were being shown in anti-Duterte rallies “&quot;victims&quot; died years before or after Duterte&#x27;s presidency.”“Many are completely unrelated to drugs or EJKs. Some of them are still very much alive!” she wrote. “That is your truth. I also have my truth,” she told Congressman Abante. “‘Yun ‘yung pinanggagalingan ng aking opinyon, reaksyon sa mga nabalitaan ko po sa social media at sa news online. Those are my personal reactions and opinions,” she added.Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, meanwhile, also questioned if Quiambao’s claims are backed by documents. He said resource persons at the Quad Comm hearings, including representatives from the Commission on Human Rights, confirmed the killings during the Duterte presidency.“Sa Quad Comm po, lahat ng nasa record nila we confirmed. Walang prior and after the Duterte administration,” he said.Abante criticized Quiambao for not showing documents that would support her claims that relatives of alleged EJK victims denied that the killings happened under Duterte.“You are talking about disclaimer ng family? Are they under oath or just mere media reports? Do you have the document under oath?” Abante asked.“None, sir. So next time po bago tayo magsulat ng ganun, kumuha po muna tayo ng dokumento under oath at hindi mavbabase ng sinsasabi ng mainstream media,” Quiambao replied.The congressman also threatened to make a motion to hold Quiambao in contempt if she did not apologize for her statement. “Pinasinungalingan mo kami, pinasinungalingan mo ang mga victims,” Abante said. Quiambao apologized to the congressman but noted that her statement on “criminal forces” was not pertaining to him.

Vlogger Mary Jane “MJ” Quiambao Reyes defended Friday her social media post labeling victims of extrajudicial killings allegedly under former president Rodrigo Duterte as a “massive hoax.”

Vlogger Mary Jane “MJ” Quiambao Reyes defended Friday her social media post labeling victims of extrajudicial killings allegedly under former president Rodrigo Duterte as a “massive hoax.”