Claim: Filipino physician and content creator Winston Kilimanjaro Tiwaquen, popularly known as Dr. Kilimanguru, endorses ear drops that claim to relieve ear pain and help treat hearing problems.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The post bearing the claim has gained 2.3 million views 9,800 reactions, and 1,600 comments as of writing.
Kilimanguru supposedly said in the video that as a doctor, he recommends the use of AudiCure to his patients.
“Nahihirapan bang makadinig dahil sa ear problem at naghahanap ng solusyon upang bumalik ang linaw ng pandinig? Narito ang solusyon sa gusto mong mangyari dahil ang AudiCure Ear Relief Drops ay makakatulong upang bumalik ang linaw ng iyong pandinig,” the caption reads.
(Having trouble hearing due to ear problems and looking for a solution to restore your clear hearing? Here’s the answer to your concerns because AudiCure Ear Relief Drops can help bring back the clarity of your hearing.)
The post also urges viewers to message the Facebook page for inquiries.
The facts: The video is AI-manipulated.
An analysis by deepfake detection tool TrueMedia showed that there is “substantial evidence” (65% probability) of AI-generated voice alterations used in the video.
The original video, posted in 2022, simply features Kilimanguru listing symptoms of a perforated eardrum, without any of the manipulated content featured in the misleading ear drops ad.
Kilimanguru also confirmed to Rappler on Wednesday, December 4, that he is not endorsing AudiCure.
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Unregistered: AudiCure is not included in the Philippine Food and Drug Authority’s list of registered products.
Target of health scams: Rappler has published several fact-checks falsely implying Kilimanguru’s supposed endorsement of various health products:
- Dr. Kilimanguru did not recommend Kohayo Nutritious Cereal for weight loss
- FACT CHECK: Unregistered barley grass powder not endorsed by Doc Willie Ong, Kilimanguru
– James Patrick Cruz/Rappler.com
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