Arnold Clavio Hits Back at ‘Fake News’ Claims
ARNOLD CLAVIO – The GMA news anchor defended his network against accusations of spreading “fake news” regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged asylum application in China.
The controversy stemmed from a GMA News report claiming that Duterte sought asylum in China to avoid arrest and extradition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on March 11, 2025. The report, aired on 24 Oras, cited a reliable source stating that Duterte applied for asylum while in Hong Kong, but China allegedly denied his request.
At that time, speculation was growing about Duterte’s impending arrest by the ICC. However, in a press conference on March 24, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun denied receiving any asylum request from Duterte’s camp. Jiakun stated that the former president traveled to Hong Kong for personal reasons, not to seek asylum.
In response, Clavio defended GMA News through an Instagram post on March 26. He emphasized that the network’s reports undergo thorough verification before being aired. “Pinabulaanan ng gobyerno ng China ang impormasyon na nakalap ng @gmanews, mula sa isang magpapakatiwalaang source, na humiling ng asylum sa kanila si dating Pangulong Duterte,” Clavio wrote. He reiterated that, according to their source, Duterte went to Hong Kong intending to apply for political asylum to evade the ICC arrest, but China rejected his request.
Clavio questioned China’s credibility, pointing out that the country frequently denies allegations that put its interests at risk. He cited China’s previous denials, such as its role in the Ukraine war and its expansion in the Spratly Islands, which was initially presented as a mere “fisherman’s haven.”
“Their words against ours,” Clavio remarked, insisting that GMA News follows strict fact-checking procedures before publishing any sensitive report. He dismissed claims of “fake news,” affirming that their coverage was based on verified information.
Despite the ongoing debate, Clavio noted that the issue is now beyond speculation, as Duterte is already in ICC custody, awaiting trial in September. Meanwhile, Duterte’s camp has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
Related Post: Rodrigo Duterte Allegedly Denied Asylum Request in China – Report