FACT CHECK: False claim of NBI agent's arrest after VP Sara trial testimony debunked

A false claim that Senior National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent John Mark Calilung, a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, has been arrested is circulating on social media in the Philippines. Rappler's fact-check confirms this information is false. The false claim was spread through a video uploaded on July 12 by a YouTube channel named “PHILIPPINES TRENDING NEWS.” The video, titled “Karma has struck! Just in: Major Senate order signed? No escape, NBI witness caught, jailed?”, featured a thumbnail with images of Calilung and Duterte, and text that read, “Jailed just now? NBI witness already arrested?” As of writing, the video had garnered over 28,000 views and 1,100 likes. However, Rappler's investigation found that Calilung was never arrested or jailed following his testimony before the Senate impeachment court on July 7 and the cross-examination by one of Duterte’s defense counsel, Carlo Narvasa, on July 8. The NBI agent was not detained by authorities, nor was an arrest warrant issued for him right after his appearance at the trial. Furthermore, the video's content itself did not support the claim that Calilung had been arrested. Instead of presenting evidence of his arrest, the video recycled political commentary from Duterte-aligned political vlogger Banat By, largely discussing Calilung’s testimony and questioning his credibility. The narration at no point claimed or discussed that Calilung had been arrested or detained. Calilung served as the prosecution’s primary witness to authenticate a November 2024 video from a press conference held by Duterte, in which she allegedly made grave threats against the President. These threats form the basis of Article IV of the impeachment complaint against her. As an officer of the NBI’s Cybercrime Division, Calilung explained how investigators preserved and authenticated footage in which Duterte allegedly said that, should anything happen to her, an assassin was prepared to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House speaker Martin Romualdez. During cross-examination, Duterte’s defense questioned Calilung’s qualifications as a digital forensic examiner, prompting Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero to direct Calilung to submit his certifications. The grave threats charge is one of four articles of impeachment against Duterte. The others allege the misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust—including allegations of unexplained wealth—and bribery and corruption. Source: Rappler Philippines