An image shared on Facebook claims to show the Philippine Air Force firing an air defense missile.

Verdict: False

The image is from Israel, not the Philippines.

Fact Check:

The Philippines accused China’s coast guard of blocking the Philippines’ attempt to evacuate a sick military member from the Second Thomas Shoal, according to Reuters. The Philippines was able to evacuate the sick member on its second attempt, the outlet reported.

Social media users are sharing an image of a missile being fired, claiming it shows a Philippine SPYDER air defense system in action. One user wrote, “IR DEFENSE MISSILE OF THE PHILIPPINES The launching of missiles of the Spyder Air Defense Missile System of the Philippine Air Force.”

This image, though, was taken in Israel, not the Philippines. Through a reverse image search, Check Your Fact found the image was published by the Israeli Ministry of Defense on X in January 2024.

RAFAEL, together with the IMOD DDR&D, successfully completed a SPYDER air defense system test in its latest, unique configuration – All In One. The test included the interception of a UAV in a challenging operational scenario, achieving a direct & effective hit
📸@RAFAELdefense pic.twitter.com/kYjNXjoHeO

— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) January 14, 2024

It was also shown in a video from RAFAEL, the company that makes the SPYDER air defense system. The Philippines does operate the SPYDER, receiving it in 2022. (RELATED: Was The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Struck By Houthi Rebels?)

A Philippine Air Force spokesperson told AFP Fact Check that the photo does not show a SPYDER air defense system operated by them.