Multiple posts on Facebook are claiming that Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin testified in favor of former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court. This is false.
On May 8, one FB page and two users posted a photo showing Locsin, who served as foreign affairs secretary during Duterte’s presidency, alongside lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, ICC pre-trial Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc and President Ferdinand Marcos. It included a superimposed text that read:
“TUMESTIGO NA SA ICC BANGUNGOT NI DAYUNYOR DUMATING NA? JUNYOR NAMUTLA
(TESTIFIED AT THE ICC DAYUNYOR’S NIGHTMARE ARRIVED? JUNIOR TURNED PALE)?”
All posts carried similar captions:
“CONFIRMED! HETO ANG GOOD NEWS! Ambassador Teddy Locsin tumestigo sa ICC, umatras na si Du30 – LALAYA NA?
Isang malaking hakbang na tiyak magpapabago sa takbo ng kasaysayan! Ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga pahayag ni Locsin sa harap ng International Criminal Court at paano ito nakaapekto sa mga plano ni Du30? Magiging simula ba ito ng mga bagong pagbabago sa ating politika? Ano sa tingin mo ang mangyayari sunod? Ibahagi ang iyong opinyon sa mga komento sa ibaba
(CONFIRMED! HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS! Ambassador Teddy Locsin testifies at ICC, Du30 withdraws – TO BE RELEASED?
A big step that will surely change the course of history! What do Locsin’s statements before the International Criminal Court mean and how did they affect Du30’s plans? Will this be the beginning of new changes in our politics? What do you think will happen next? Share your opinion in the comments below)!”
The page further referenced an article posted on a dubious blog site, supposedly detailing Locsin’s alleged testimony. One user claimed Duterte would be freed finally.
Locsin neither testified nor appeared in any court proceedings at the ICC involving the case of the former president. There are also no documents on the international tribunal’s website showing testimony of the ambassador.
The article on the website merely referenced an unverified statement of Locsin in October 2025 in which he accused Filipinos of “abducting” and turning over Duterte to the ICC when he was arrested seven months prior.
The post surfaced days after the Trial Chamber III ordered the parties to submit their observation on the detention of Duterte at the Scheveningen prison in The Hague, Netherlands. Under the Rome Statute, the court must periodically review its ruling on the release or detention of a person in custody. The chamber has not yet issued a decision on Duterte’s detention after the parties filed their observations on May 8.
Published by the page PrimeTime Celebs (created May 30, 2025) and two FB users, the incorrect posts amassed 2,726 reactions; 791 comments; and 268 shares in total.
