FACT CHECK: Viral video of ‘Zaldy Co’ spotted swimming at the beach is AI-generated

CLAIM: A YouTube video showing businessman Zaldy Co casually swimming at a beach.

RATING: FALSE

An AI-manipulated video uploaded on YouTube falsely claims to document a sighting of former congressman Zaldy Co, who is in hiding.

Flagged Content: The YouTube Shorts video shows a man resembling Co walking along a beach, with on-screen text reading: “Zaldy Co spotted naligo sa dagat.”

The video presents the footage as a real and recent sighting. It provides no location, date, or source. It has circulated primarily on social media and through repost accounts.

Our debunk: There is no verified evidence that the video shows Co.

There are no credible news reports or official sources confirming any recent sightings. The video appears only on social media, with no supporting footage or alternate angles. It lacks verifiable context, such as location, date, or corroboration.

AI indicators: The video also shows signs consistent with AI-generated or manipulated content:

Facial details appear overly smooth and unnatural. Body movement and proportions appear inconsistent with real footage. Lighting and shadows do not fully match the environment.
The subject leaves no clear footprints on wet sand, which is physically unlikely.
Comments on the video also question its authenticity, noting possible AI manipulation.
AI detection tools duch as detectvideo.ai and ZeroGPT

Rewind: Co, who is facing several cases, remains out of the public eye.

In March 2026, the Sandiganbayan declared him a fugitive from justice. Interpol is expected to issue a Red Notice for his arrest.
On April 16, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the detention of Co in Prague, following an illegal entry into the Czech Republic.
Co has not returned to the Philippines since March 2026. A casual public appearance at a beach, especially without media coverage, is highly unlikely given his legal status and location.

Why we fact-checked this: Co has been in the public spotlight amid ongoing legal proceedings over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

The video has gained hundreds of interactions, showing continued engagement despite lacking verification.
Such content can distort public understanding of ongoing corruption cases and the individual’s status.

Spot the fake: AI-generated or manipulated videos can present ordinary scenes to make false claims appear real.

Look for subtle visual inconsistencies, such as unnatural facial details, movement, lighting, or physical interaction
Check if the claim is in credible news reports, official statements, or multiple sources.
For high-profile individuals, verify their location or situation against confirmed reports, particularly in ongoing cases. Patricia Alvarado

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