VERA Files
A Facebook (FB) page is claiming that Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander “Ayec” Pimentel has passed away due to lung cancer. This is not true.
Uploaded on April 1, the post bore the caption:
“REST IN PEACE GOV. AYEC PIMENTEL
We are saddened to announce the passing of Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander “Ayec” Pimentel at the age of 71 due to lung cancer. It was confirmed by his family today April 01, 2024.
#CondolenceToThePimentelFamily”
It also carried a screenshot supposedly of a post from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ official FB page expressing his sympathies to the governor’s family. An obituary graphic allegedly released by the Malacañang Palace can also be seen.
The post featured a GMA News and Public Affairs news report and graphic confirming the governor’s death “based on the post of his brother” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
These are all fabricated. On April 1, the governor posted a video of himself debunking the claims in his native language.
Rep. Johnny Pimentel also released a statement clarifying the rumors and advising netizens to refrain from sharing false information.
“It has come to our attention that there are rumors circulating in social media falsely claiming the passing of my dear brother Gov. Ayec T. Pimentel. This is to clarify that these are fake, baseless and untrue. Gov. Ayec is very much alive and well,” a part of the post read.
Marcos’ official FB page, the Malacanang Palace and the GMA Public Affairs did not publish any statement or report about the alleged death either.
Several netizens fell for the wrong information and expressed their condolences, while others pointed out that it was an April Fools’ Day joke.
VERA Files Fact Check has flagged a number of death hoaxes that targeted former and incumbent government officials as well as celebrities. (Read Rodrigo Duterte NOT dead)
The post by the FB page Surigao del Sur Ngayon (created on Sept. 21, 2021 as ASA SI ADEK) garnered 805 reactions, 401 comments and 1,700 shares.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
