Young journo debunks bullet train claim in Bicol

By Jason B. Neola

(The Bicol Mail has expressed its gratitude to campus journalist Angelee Kaye Abelinde for her detailed report verifying the truth behind a widely shared image of a supposed “bullet train” operating in Bicol — a claim now confirmed to be false. Abelinde, a second-year Journalism student at Bicol University and current copy editor of The Bicol Universitarian, debunked the viral claim through a fact-check article published on Rappler, where she contributes as a writer. She is also a 2024 graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship by Rappler.-Editor)

The viral image, which features a bullet train speeding past the iconic Mayon Volcano, sparked excitement and confusion among netizens, with many mistakenly believing that such a transport system had already begun operations in the region.

In her report, Abelinde said that the original post garnered over 55,000 reactions, 3,400 comments, and 4,600 shares, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation.

While many social media users acknowledged that the photo was likely a digital depiction, others believed it to be real. Comments ranged from hopeful expressions like “Talaga??? Magaling (Really? Excellent)” to inquiries about the nearest station to tourist spots.

One commenter even asked whether the train was already making trips to Albay, to which the content creator falsely replied “yes.”

However, Abelinde’s report clarifies that the image is AI-generated, with detection tools like Sightengine, IsItAi, and Hive Moderation flagging it as 99% artificial.

As of now, there is no bullet train operating in Bicol. The only functioning rail services are the Philippine National Railways (PNR) routes from Legazpi to Naga and Naga to Sipocot.

The spread of the misleading image is linked to a promotional video by actress Yassi Pressman, girlfriend of Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative-elect Luigi Villafuerte, who endorsed the Bicol Saro Party-list.

The 30-second ad promised that if Bicol Saro won, a bullet train project would be pursued, cutting travel time from Bicol to Quezon province to one hour, and from Bicol to Manila to just three hours.

Bicol Saro did win a seat in the 2025 elections, ranking 33rd among party-lists. Meanwhile, Governor-elect Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, a long-time advocate for improved rail connectivity in the region, said in a May 21 post that negotiations are ongoing with foreign investors for the Manila-Bicol South Long Haul project.

He expressed hope that it would result in a high-speed rail system, citing Vietnam’s train model as an example.

The Bicol Mail commends Abelinde’s work for clarifying the facts and helping prevent further confusion. Her commitment to truth and responsible journalism highlights the growing role of young reporters in combating online misinformation.