FACT CHECK: Duterte did not leave ICC detention for one hour; photo is AI-generated

Claim: Former president Rodrigo Duterte was allowed to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center for an hour to be with his family, as seen in a photo of him and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Viral Facebook posts from “Boss Dada” and “Explore Unseen Travel PH” that make the claim have received a combined 36,000 reactions, 3,200 comments, and 800 shares as of writing.

The image in the post shows the Vice President with her arm around her father, who was pictured looking noticeably thinner and sporting long hair.

According to the post’s caption, the Vice President looked happy because her father was permitted to temporarily leave the ICC detention center for “one hour” to be with his family. The post adds that this was done as part of humanitarian considerations for the detained former president while legal proceedings against him continue.

The facts: Results from the AI detection tool Sensity indicate a 96.9% probability of facial manipulation and a 65.4% probability that the image contains AI-generated content, using Google Gemini. Based on these results, Sensity classifies the image as suspicious or likely to be AI-generated.

The original image of the Vice President dates back to a July 7, 2025, video from the “Alvin & Tourism” Facebook account. Throughout the video, which was taken outside the ICC detention facility, the Vice President is seen alone in the frame, without her father.

Since the former president’s arrest in March 2025 and detention at the ICC, the only image of him that has been made public was his initial appearance via video link before the ICC pre-trial chamber, where he was informed about the schedule for his confirmation of charges hearing. (READ: Duterte in The Hague: Can he be released before September pre-trial?)

Not permitted: The misleading Facebook post offers no evidence that Dutere was allowed to leave his detention center for an hour.

While Duterte is allowed to receive visitors, these visits must be conducted within the detention facilities. According to Regulation 183 under Chapter 5, Section 2 of the ICC’s Regulations of the Registry, visits shall be conducted “within the sight and hearing of the staff of the detention centre and shall be monitored by video surveillance.”

Duterte’s case: Duterte remains detained at the ICC center in The Hague, Netherlands, for charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s war on drugs.

His legal team had earlier requested an interim release, which was rejected by the ICC’s pre-trial and appeals chambers.

His confirmation of charges hearing was initially set in September 2025, but was postponed when the defense successfully requested to postpone the proceedings, claiming Duterte was “unfit to stand trial” due to his deteriorating cognitive condition.

Independent medical experts tapped by the ICC, however, said Duterte can undergo trial provided he is given certain accommodations like regular breaks and his preferred food.

On January 26, the ICC declared Duterte fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings. His confirmation of charges hearing will take place on February 23, 2026. (READ: Duterte at the ICC: Key dates to remember)

Recurring claim: Duterte’s alleged release from the ICC has been the subject of many fake claims since his arrest. Rappler has debunked similar claims regarding the topic: 

• FACT CHECK: ICC did not authorize Duterte’s release, quote card is fake
• FACT CHECK: Spliced news report used to falsely claim Duterte is back in PH
• FACT CHECK: Duterte’s ICC case is ongoing, no ruling on release

For credible updates about the Duterte case, follow the ICC website and the court’s official social media accounts. – Princess Leah Sagaad/Rappler.com

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.