SunStar Davao did not resurrect old news about a 2021 quarantine, nor did it announce a quarantine for 2025 due to Mpox. Netizens revived an old post from June 2021 about a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) supposedly set for June 5 to 20, 2025. Some mistook it as breaking news, while others criticized SunStar for spreading false information. SunStar clarified that the post was from 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and urged followers to check post dates to avoid misinformation. The viral post, along with two other pandemic-era posts, resurfaced between May 29 and 31, 2025, leading to widespread engagement. By May 31, MindaNews tracked 876 social media users making 784 comments, with mentions amplifying the post’s reach. The initial bump occurred on May 29, 2025, at 1:09 a.m., though the exact trigger remains unclear. By June 2, the post had garnered 14k shares, 1.7k comments, and 4k reactions. Social media algorithms, driven by user interactions like likes and comments, contributed to the post’s resurgence. Ironically, users attempting to clarify the post’s age inadvertently fueled its spread. MindaNews, a verified signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network, welcomes fact-checking leads from the public.
