After fake photos of a “skin and bones” former president Rodrigo Duterte circulated online, a video showing him supposedly back in the Philippines was shared online. The clip was taken in 2024.
On July 14, a Facebook page uploaded a three-minute, 46-second video showing Sen. Bong Go with the former president. In the video, Go was debunking claims that something bad happened to Duterte. The video carried the text:
“HINDI NYAN FAKE NEWS HA. Totoo yan Tatay Digs ‘yan Kakauwi lang (THIS IS NOT FAKE NEWS ANYMORE. That is true. That is Tatay Digs, he just got home).”
The video starts with Go showing proof to the public that the former president is “alive and kicking.” At the 16-second mark, Duterte can be seen saying:
“Mga kababayan ko, kamusta kayong lahat? Ako’y matanda na at hindi natin maiwasan ‘yung balita na ‘yun… nagkasakit. Wala naman akong sakit at feeling ko hindi naman ako mamamatay ngayon kaagad. Nandito ako sa bahay
(My fellow countrymen, how are you all doing? I am already old and we cannot prevent the news that I get sick. I do not have any sickness and I feel that I will not die now right away. I am here at home).”
The post that says Duterte is home is false. The video was taken in 2024 when death hoaxes about the former president circulated.
On June 20, 2024, Go’s TikTok account uploaded a copy of the video taken from his FB livestream.
@senatorbonggo FROM FACEBOOK LIVE | MAG-INGAT SA FAKE NEWS! Pinayuhan ni Senator Kuya Bong Go ang mga Pilipino na mag-ingat sa fake news. Ito ay sa kabila ng kumakalat na balita na pumanaw na si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Nagkasama ngayong araw si Senator Kuya Bong Go at si Tatay Digong, na buhay na buhay at malakas pa ang kalusugan. #fypphilippines🇵🇭 #foryou #SenatorBongGo #MrMalasakit #BisyoAngMagSerbisyo🇵🇭👊🏼 ♬ original sound – SENATOR BONG GO
The old video resurfaced after several photos portraying Duterte as “skin and bones” were spread online.
Vice President Sara Duterte has dismissed the images as fake, clarifying that the former president is not sick and remains in the regular wing of the International Criminal Court’s detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands.
The former president is awaiting his confirmation of charges hearing set on Sept. 23. This is in relation to the charges of crimes against humanity he allegedly committed in the course of his administration’s drug war.
Since his detention, VERA Files has debunked several disinformation about Duterte’s supposed return to the Philippines.
The false post by the FB user has so far garnered 13,000 reactions, 2,300 comments, 11,000 shares and 826,000 views.
