FACT CHECK: Registration links for free Noche Buena packages are fake

Claim: All Filipino households will receive a free Noche Buena (Christmas feast) package upon registering using the links provided in social media posts.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The video containing the claim was posted on December 8 and has garnered significant engagement, receiving over 1,900 reactions, 800 comments, 900 shares, and 89,000 views.

In the video, a narrator says: “Bawat tahanan ay mabibigyan ng libreng pamaskong handog at Noche Buena, magpalista lang sa link namin at dapat naka-follow ka sa amin at na-share ang video na ito.” 

(Each household will be given a free Christmas gift and Noche Buena packages; just register through our link, and you must follow us and share this video.)

The video was posted by the Facebook page “Pinoy Newswire,” which has over 11,000 likes and 783,000 followers. The same page has also posted numerous videos bearing the same claim.

The facts: When clicked, the supposed registration link for the free Noche Buena package redirects to an e-commerce site selling portable solar generators. A second link, supposedly providing details about the Christmas feast package, also redirects to another e-commerce website selling umbrellas.

Additionally, DeCopy’s artificial intelligence (AI) image analysis software flagged a screenshot from the video as 98% likely to be AI-generated. Several other videos from the same page featuring content on supposed government aid utilize AI-generated narrators.

The false claim likely stemmed from recent reports about the distribution of free Noche Buena packages by several cities in the National Capital Region, including Pasig, Manila, and Makati. However, these programs do not require online registration; the respective local government units distribute the Christmas packages directly via door-to-door deliveries.

Public officials have repeatedly warned the public to only trust the verified pages of official government agencies to avoid falling victim to false information online. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)

Debunked: With Christmas approaching, false claims on supposed holiday gifts and cash aid from the government have circulated online. Rappler has fact-checked these posts:

Rappler has previously debunked numerous false claims promoting fake registration links for free services, aid, and subsidies that are often used in phishing scams:

– Reinnard Balonzo/Rappler.com 

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.