A GROUP of content creators named “Lacion Vines” is facing intense public backlash after a video of them seemingly mocking a person with a mental health issue went viral on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The group, composed of three males and a female, staged a stunt involving a man appearing to harm bystanders. The video gained widespread condemnation from netizens and prompted intervention from local authorities.
In a video call interview on Friday, June 27, 2025, Deputy Chief PLt. Rhuffy Federe of the Consolacion Police Station said that the video caused alarm among viewers, some of whom feared the situation could escalate into violence.
“Ang initial nga reaction base sa mga nakakita sa ilang content, naa juy uban medyo na-alarma, nahadlok nganong wala pa daw makuha. Basin naay kutsilyo, makadunggab,” Federe said.
(The initial reaction from those who saw their content was that some people were quite alarmed and scared about why the man hadn’t been apprehended yet. They feared there might be a knife involved, someone could get stabbed.)
Federe, however, clarified that the group’s content was staged and was meant as a reenactment of the actions of a mentally challenged person after the actual incident had already been addressed by authorities.
“Tungod kay kami mismo, amo natong gi-rescue tong mentally challenged nga individual, and then in the same place, didto nila gi-reenact nga kuno wala pa gihapon madakpi,” he added.
(Because we ourselves had already rescued that mentally challenged individual, and then in the same place, they reenacted as if the person still hadn’t been caught.)
Federe made the clarification after several netizens questioned whether the individual was still roaming the streets.
The person had already been taken into custody prior to the video’s circulation but the reenactment misled viewers into thinking the situation was ongoing and dangerous, he added.
Federe also confirmed that the content creators behind Lacion Vines showed up at the Consolacion Police Station to explain their actions. This happened after they made a public apology which they posted on their Facebook page.
Federe, however, raised the possibility of a legal action against the group.
“We are studying potential punishment beyond the public apology,” he said.
Misleading content
Federe emphasized the danger of misleading the public with such content, especially when it is shared without proper context.
He said the video caused unnecessary fear, particularly among those who were not updated on the situation including many elderly viewers who found the content disturbing and alarming.
Federe noted that the creators’ primary goal appeared to be maximizing views, regardless of the potential consequences.
Highlighting a pattern of irresponsible content creation, Federe referenced a similar incident involving the “Snailman,” who dressed as a snail and blocked traffic in March 2025.
Federe thus offered a strong message to content creators. He said that while the police recognize and welcome creativity in content creation, it should not come at the cost of truth or public welfare.
“Welcome man ang content kay creativity man na, pero it must not come to an expense nga mag-spread tag false information nya mag-create ug stress sa katawhan.”
(The content is welcome because it’s a form of creativity, but it should not come at the cost of spreading false information and causing stress to the public.) / Trixcy Shien Cobarde, Benedicto College Intern and Jeanette Arinque, HNU Intern