Multiple Facebook posts are claiming that the release paper of former president Rodrigo Duterte has been approved. This is false. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has yet to decide on Duterte’s request for interim release.
Since June 18, a fan page for Veronica “Kitty” Duterte posted a link with a thumbnail featuring a photo collage of the former president and screenshots of the supposed “release paper.” The post carried the caption:
“FPRRD, MAKAKALAYA NA! Release paper ni Dada approved na, ingat po sa pag uwe Tatay (FPPRD WILL NOW BE RELEASED! Release paper of Dada now approved, take care going home Tatay). #everyone #fprrd #dds”
The FB page published the post multiple times using the same link and thumbnail. An FB user also posted a reel bearing a screenshot of one of the posts.
This is false. The ICC has not ruled on Duterte’s plea for interim release.
The former president remains detained at the ICC detention facility in The Hague, the Netherlands as he awaits his confirmation of charges hearing on Sept. 23.
The screenshots shown in the link’s thumbnail are from the Public Redacted Version of the Urgent Request for Interim Release document released by the ICC on June 12. The images were uploaded in low resolution, making it unreadable.
Users were also tricked into clicking the thumbnail, which actually contains an affiliate marketing link that leads them to an e-commerce site.
The false claim started circulating six days after Duterte’s defense counsel requested for his interim release saying the former president is not a flight risk and “will not continue to commit crimes.”
In a June 23 response, the prosecution has urged the Chamber to reject the request, saying Duterte’s continued detention remains necessary. The victims also appealed for rejection saying their “well-being will be in danger” if Duterte is released.
VERA Files has debunked other mis- and disinformation related to the ICC investigation on the charges against Duterte for crimes against humanity in relation to his administration’s drug war.
At least five posts by the FB page Kitty Veronica Duterte fans (created on March 2, 2024 as Konah & Ekay) collectively garnered 11,400 reactions, 2,005 comments and 988 shares. A Reel uploaded by a FB user also garnered 22,400 reactions, 1,800 comments and 1,200 shares.
