A YouTube video is claiming that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted former president Rodrigo Duterte and sentenced him to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity. This is false.
Published on March 12, the spurious video bore a guilty stamp on its thumbnail and bore a headline that reads:
“LIFE SENTENCE DAW ANG HATOL KAY DIGONG NG ICC, SA NORWAY DAW IKULONG!
(ICC HAS ALLEGEDLY SENTENCED DIGONG TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT, TO BE DETAINED IN NORWAY!)”
This is not true. Duterte’s initial appearance before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber in The Hague took place on March 14, where he was asked only to state his full name, date and place of birth.
Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc said that the hearing was “neither the start of the trial nor is it a confirmation of charges” but merely to “introduce the parties and to ascertain the charges and to set a date for the confirmation of charges.”
The date for the opening of the charges has been set for Sept. 23, 2025, where the judges will see if there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that Duterte committed the crimes charged.
It is during the trial that the prosecution must “prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused.” Only after all evidence is considered will a verdict be handed down. Sentencing will follow conviction.
The fraudulent video emerged a day after Duterte was arrested upon his arrival from Hong Kong on March 11. The Philippine National Police served the arrest warrant issued by the ICC and coursed through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for charges of murder as a crime against humanity over his bloody war on drugs during his term as president as well as mayor of Davao City.
Uploaded by YouTube channel GOLDENBOY (created on Sept. 25, 2020), the inaccurate video garnered 55,687 views, 4,000 reactions, and 937 comments. A Facebook user also reposted the false video.
