Rodrigo Duterte Still Detained at ICC: How an Old Photo Successfully Deceived the Online Community

A shocking claim has been circulating on social media: former President Rodrigo Duterte has returned to his hometown, Davao City, leaving behind legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The post received thousands of interactions, supportive comments, and shares from users trusting this information. But what is the truth? Rodrigo Duterte is actually still detained at the ICC facility in The Hague, Netherlands, and has not returned to Davao.

Fake claim spread through an old photo

On February 18, a post appeared on social media accompanied by a manipulated photo of Rodrigo Duterte with the caption “Breaking! Duterte is already in Davao! Yes! Everyone is surprised!” The post also included another photo showing Duterte sitting at a dining table with his daughters, including Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, along with other family members.

This image seemed like strong evidence that the former president had returned to the Philippines. Many Facebook users commented in support, saying “The best president is already in Davao,” while others claimed “He’s not there.” However, this photo is not new—it is an old picture posted by Vice President Sara Duterte on her personal account on February 7, when she announced her uncle Benjamin Duterte’s passing.

Rodrigo Duterte: Still detained in The Hague

In reality, Rodrigo Duterte has never left the ICC detention facility. In March 2025, he was detained and brought to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign during his administration. According to international human rights organizations, over 30,000 individuals, including civilians and children, have been killed in this campaign.

Although the ICC allowed Duterte to waive his appearance at the confirmation hearing scheduled for February 23, this decision does not mean he was released or returned to the Philippines. ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I approved his request based on his waiver of rights, despite prosecutors’ objections, who argued he was fit to participate in the hearing.

Rodrigo Duterte’s legal schedule at the ICC

How did this story unfold? In September 2025, the initial confirmation hearing was scheduled but later postponed. His lawyers argued that the former president was unfit for trial due to poor health. However, when independent medical assessments were published in January 2026, medical experts concluded Duterte was capable of attending hearings.

Based on these evaluations, judges rescheduled the confirmation hearing for February 23. In a letter to the Pre-Trial Chamber on February 18, Duterte requested to waive his right to appear, citing health issues and refusing to recognize the court’s jurisdiction. Although the judges did not agree with these reasons (calling them “speculation” and “irrelevant”), they allowed him to be absent.

Why do social media users believe false information?

The success of this old photo in deceiving the public illustrates how misinformation works. When an image, even from a different context, is combined with a strong statement, it can quickly go viral. While the photo does show Duterte with his family, it provides no evidence that he was in Davao on February 18 or at any recent time.

It’s important to note that the post had 5,000 interactions, 1,500 comments, and 269 shares at the time of writing—indicating the influence of misinformation within online communities.

Other false claims about Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC

This is not the first time false information about Duterte and the ICC has appeared. Rappler has exposed several fake claims:

• Some claims suggest the ICC has no solid evidence related to the case, but prosecutors have indeed provided relevant evidence.
• Rumors about Duterte being released or allowed to carry tracking devices to return to the Philippines are baseless.
• Some AI-generated images have been widely shared claiming Duterte has left detention, which is false.

These hoaxes highlight the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, especially regarding prominent political figures like Duterte.

Conclusion: Rodrigo Duterte remains at the ICC

To be clear: former President Rodrigo Duterte has not returned to his hometown. He is still detained at the ICC facility in The Hague, awaiting further hearings in his case. The photo used to support this false claim is an old image from February, not new evidence.

When consuming information on social media, always think critically: When was this photo taken? Does it prove the specific claim? Is it from a credible source? For Duterte, these questions can help you discern the truth behind online misinformation.

This article is based on reports from Rappler and international human rights organizations. To report false claims or suspicious content, please contact local fact-checking agencies or international verification organizations.