Fact check: Duterte has not won his ICC case, remains detained
MANILA, Philippines — A viral Facebook reel falsely claims former President Rodrigo Duterte has won his case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and will soon return to the Philippines.
In a reel posted by Facebook profile Labobo Vlogs, clips related to Duterte's ICC case were edited together alongside text claiming he had won the case and would soon be able to return home.
The post's caption read:
wow Maka #laya na SI #tatay #digong
Rating: This is false.
Facts
The trial against Duterte for crimes against humanity before the ICC is set to open on Nov. 30, 2026, while he remains in detention in The Hague, Netherlands. As such, he has not won his case and is not returning to the Philippines soon.
The ICC Trial Chamber III judges ruled in an eight-page decision dated May 22 that there was no notable change in circumstances that would justify his release.
The charges being confirmed against Duterte on April 23, which commits him to a full-blown trial, further support continued detention, given the increased risk that the accused may flee, the judges emphasized.
The judges said Duterte's refusal to attend his confirmation of charges hearing in February, along with his statement, saying he does not recognize the court's jurisdiction, is proof that he "will not comply with any orders that might be made in respect of a release from custody."
With Duterte's access to resources and contacts, including his family and supporters who may help him evade justice, the ICC judges found that there is a "real and substantial risk" that he could obstruct justice on his own or through his associates.
The Facebook reel used two clips taken from a Feb. 27, 2026 report by Bilyonaryo News Channel covering the final day of Duterte's confirmation of charges hearing before the ICC.
The two clips were edited together to create the false impression that Duterte and his defense team had won the ICC case, with the second clip selectively cut to highlight then-lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman's arguments challenging the prosecution's evidence.
Why we fact-checked this
Duterte skipped two status conferences held on May 27 and June 23 ahead of his trial for crimes against humanity before the ICC.
The former president has remained detained in The Hague since March 2025.
The Facebook reel falsely claiming Duterte's release has garnered over 100,000 views, 2,300 reactions, 200 comments and 300 shares.
- Latest
- Trending
