A viral Facebook post claiming that Davao City has signed a contract for a railway system is false. The image used features a fictional anime character, misleading viewers about the alleged deal.
The post, shared by user Tau Awam on May 1, shows Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte with a supposed Japanese official, labeled as "Japanese Governor of Gensokyo, Yukari Yakumo." This character is from the popular video game series Touhou Project and does not exist in real-world politics.
The ‘Japanese governor’ depicted in the graphic is a fictional anime character, and no deal has been signed between Japan and Davao City for a railway project.
CC Media
As of now, no railway contract has been signed in 2026 between Duterte and any Japanese official. The original photograph of Duterte was taken in July 2025, showing him with Okinawa Vice Governor Oshiro Hajime, and has been manipulated to include the fabricated character.
While there is a proposed Mindanao Railway Project that aims to connect various regions, including Davao City, it remains unfunded and has not advanced beyond feasibility studies.
The Department of Transportation is exploring public-private partnerships for the project, which has faced numerous delays and funding challenges since its announcement.