A video circulating on Facebook claims that former president Rodrigo Duterte has been freed as he supposedly exited the premises of the International Criminal Court detention center. This is false.
Posted on June 15, 2025, the clip shows someone leaving the ICC with people chanting “Duterte!”. The video included an overlaid text that read:
“Yes makakauwi na. Finally Duterte is free”
Also on that day, another user posted the same misleading video with the caption:
“BREAKING NEWS PRESIDENT DUTERTE LAYA NA”
The footage, originally taken on March 14, 2025, does not show the former president but rather Vice President Sara Duterte leaving the ICC courtroom after her father’s initial appearance before the ICC Pre-trial Chamber I.
The clip was taken when the pre-trial hearing concluded, where the vice president briefly waved to supporters gathered outside the ICC courtroom.
UNTV posted the original footage on YouTube and Facebook three months ago with the caption: “PANOORIN: Matapos ang pre-trial kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, agad na lumabas ng ICC courtroom si Vice President Sara Duterte at kumaway sa kanilang mga tagasuporta.”
The misleading video appeared three days after the former president requested an interim release to an undisclosed country on June 12. However, the ICC has yet to issue a decision on the matter, based on its official website.
Duterte remains detained at the Scheveningen detention center in The Hague, the Netherlands, following his arrest on March 11 for crimes against humanity under his administration’s war on drugs. He is still awaiting the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled on Sept. 23.
As of writing, the clip, posted by Facebook users Harold Silvoza and Diwata pares over fans 2nd official account, has collectively garnered 59,000 views, 633 reactions, 396 shares, and 197 comments.
