FACT CHECK: ‘Sara Sky’ tanker carrying Russian oil to PH not linked to Dutertes

Claim: Amid the Philippines’ energy emergency, a shipment of Russian crude oil was sent to the country because of the Dutertes. 

Rating: FALSE 

Why we fact-checked this: The TikTok video bearing the claim has already received 681,900 views, 27,000 reactions, 830 comments, and 1,008 shares as of writing. It was posted on March 28, following reports of the delivery of Russian crude oil to the Philippines. 

The video uses a news report from Inquirer.net to claim that the Dutertes were behind the delivery. It also highlights the oil tanker with the name “Sara Sky,” implying that the Philippines was able to acquire the crude oil shipment because of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

The text on the video reads, “Dumating ang Russian oil — patunay na kapag may matapang na lider tulad ng mga Duterte, may resulta.”

(Russian oil has arrived — proof that when there are courageous leaders like the Dutertes, there are results.) 

It also added, “Hindi puro salita, kundi aksyon para sa bayan (Not just words, but action for the people).” 

While some commenters raised concern about the misleading claim, others believed that Russia did send the crude oil to the Philippines because of the Vice President, writing comments thanking Duterte.

The facts: The Dutertes are not linked to the delivery of Russian crude oil to the Philippines. The Inquirer.net report referenced in the TikTok video never mentions the Dutertes or their alleged role in the Russia oil purchase. The video merely juxtaposes the news report headline and the name of the oil tanker, “Sara Sky,” to imply that they are linked.

Reports from other news media outlets, such as Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, Philstar.com, and Manila Standard, also did not mention either the Vice President or her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

In late March, Agence France-Presse reported that the oil tanker Sara Sky arrived in the Philippines carrying 700,000 barrels of crude from Russia’s Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil, which was consigned to Petron Corporation, the country’s only oil refiner. 

The company disclosed on March 30 that the shipment is part of 2.48 million barrels of Russian crude oil procured to augment its fuel inventory. 

The purchase comes amid the Philippine government’s declaration of a state of national emergency on March 24, and as oil supply from the Middle East becomes harder to secure with the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

No connection: While former president Duterte did have talks with Russia about oil investment, it was seven years ago during his term, when he invited a Russian company to explore the West Philippine Sea for oil and gas. 

There are also no reports stating that the oil tanker “Sara Sky” was named after the Vice President. Marine traffic trackers such as Vessel Finder and Marine Traffic show that the tanker was formerly named “Kara Sea.”   

Oil crisis: The Middle East conflict prompted Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz, choking off global oil supply and triggering a rise in oil prices. 

As the Philippines imports 98% of its oil from the Middle East, the government is looking for alternative sources to ensure a stable fuel supply amid global supply disruptions. (READ: The Middle East crisis: From the Strait of Hormuz to your dining table)

Previous fact-checks: Rappler has previously debunked similar claims about the energy crisis: 

• FACT CHECK: Current forecasts for oil price surge do not reach P200 per liter 
• FACT CHECK: Viral post on Brunei oil shipment to Davao City is fake 
• FACT CHECK: No announcement of energy lockdown; video is AI-generated 

– Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com 

Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. 

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