Duterte stays detained, no assured return to PH

Duterte stays in ICC custody and opposite to false claims, his request for interim launch has not been authorised

Declare: Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been launched by the Worldwide Prison Court docket (ICC) and is assured to return to the Philippines.

Score: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the declare has 183,000 views, 11,000 likes, and 1,475 feedback as of writing. It was posted on a YouTube channel with 1.19 million subscribers that presents itself as a information outlet.

The caption within the video states: “Massive excellent news! Lahat na-shocked? FPRRD nakalabas nasa ICC? 100% uuwi sa Pinas – Kaufman Marcoleta” (Massive excellent news! Is everybody shocked? FPRRD has been launched by the ICC? He’ll 100% return to the Philippines – Kaufman Marcoleta).

Many Filipinos appear to consider the declare, as seen within the feedback part, the place quite a few customers thank God and welcome again “Tatay Digong.”

The info: Duterte stays in ICC custody on the detention middle in Scheveningen Jail, The Hague, Netherlands, following his arrest on March 11, 2025, underneath a warrant for crimes towards humanity fees associated to his administration’s bloody drug conflict. 

His authorized group filed an interim launch request on June 12, citing humanitarian grounds, together with his superior age and the willingness of one other nation (undisclosed in public filings) to host him underneath court-imposed situations. They argued Duterte wouldn’t flee, disrupt proceedings, or repeat alleged offenses.

The ICC Workplace of the Prosecutor strongly opposed the request in a 15-page submitting on June 24, calling Duterte a critical flight danger. Prosecutors cited his refusal to acknowledge ICC authority, previous public threats towards court docket personnel, and his political affect, which might be used to intimidate witnesses or hinder the investigation, referencing interference in previous Davao Demise Squad probes.

Launch deferred: In a July 23 ruling, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I deferred issuing a call on the discharge request of the Duterte camp. The court docket clarified that this procedural deferment doesn’t approve launch or predict the result of the attraction.

ICC spokesperson Dr. Fadi El-Abdallah confirmed on July 24 that Duterte stays in detention, addressing rumors that he had left the ability.

Duterte is scheduled for a affirmation of fees listening to on September 23, the place judges will decide if there are substantial grounds to proceed to a full trial.

Debunked: Rappler had debunked related posts falsely claiming that Duterte has already been launched from ICC detention:

 – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science pupil at Cebu Regular College (CNU). An Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2025, she can be the characteristic editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official pupil publication.

Hold us conscious of suspicious Fb pages, teams, accounts, web sites, articles, or photographs in your community by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Allow us to battle disinformation one Truth Verify at a time.