FACT-CHECK: PH topped risk index for calamities, not crime

CLAIM: The Philippines has become the world’s riskiest country due to the police, the halt of the war on drugs, and rampant corruption. 

RATING: FALSE

A TikTok video posted on Oct. 20 falsely claimed that the Philippines topped the 2024 worldwide risk index because of issues with the police, the alleged discontinuation of the war on drugs, and widespread corruption. 

The video used a Sept. 13 DWIZ News report about the Philippines leading the 2024 World Risk Report, while superimposing sarcastic congratulations to President “Marcos Bangag” and calling for his resignation. 

It also erroneously suggested that governance issues were the primary reasons for the country’s ranking, misinterpreting the title “world’s riskiest country.” 

The Philippines was ranked the most at risk for disasters and natural calamities in 2024, not due to crime or political factors. It was the third straight year in which the Philippines topped the ranking. 

The 2024 World Risk Report was published by Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict in September.

In the 74-page report, the Philippines scored 46.91, the highest among 193 countries in the risk index. This score is determined by the country’s exposure to natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, and droughts, combined with its vulnerability score, which measures susceptibility and capacity to cope with and adapt to such risks.

In fact, at the 20-second mark of the video, the reporter clarified that the ranking pertained to disaster risk. “Pinag-aralan ang 193 bansa batay sa exposure nito sa mga kalamidad at vulnerability sa mga matitinding natural disaster.” 

The original DWIZ News report contained no text linking the disaster risk ranking to political issues. Logan Zapanta

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