FACT CHECK: Duterte not back in PH; video misuses 2025 news report of his arrest

Claim: Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has been detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC), is already back in the Philippines, according to a report in the news program Balitanghali. 

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The claim appears in a Facebook Reel from March 6 by user “Ro Se.” The text portion of the reel states: “GOOD NEWS: Nkauwe na Ng bansa  si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte welcome home Tay degs.” 

(GOOD NEWS: Former president Rodrigo Duterte has already returned to the country. Welcome home.) 

The video portion begins with a report from the program Balitanghali on the GTV network, hosted by anchors Connie Sison and Raffy Tima. Sison is shown saying, “Mainit-init na balita: nakauwi na ng bansa si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.” (Breaking news: former president Rodrigo Duterte has already returned to the country.) It then cuts to a clip of Duterte entering a door and walking through a crowd.

As of writing, the Facebook reel has around 780 reactions, 279 comments, 186 shares, and 43,000 views.

The facts: Duterte has not returned to the Philippines. He remains detained at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands.

The news report that was used in the Facebook reel was indeed from the Balitanghali news program, but it was from March 11, 2025, in which the anchors reported about Duterte’s return to the Philippines from Hong Kong. Upon arrival in Manila, he was met by police and members of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). The day the episode aired was the day of Duterte’s arrest, which brought him into ICC custody. (READ: Ex-president Rodrigo Duterte arrested over crimes against humanity)

Meanwhile, the video of Duterte surrounded by a crowd was confirmed to be available as far back as March 1, 2025, according to an AFP Fact Check article on April 2, 2025.

Duterte and the ICC: The former president remains in detention after the ICC recently rejected a new appeal for his temporary release. All five judges tasked to look at the appeal were unanimous in rejecting the defense’s plea for fairness of proceedings related to Duterte’s health.

The confirmation of charges hearing for Duterte’s crimes against humanity case took place on February 23, 24, 26, and 27. The ICC pre-trial chamber will issue a decision on whether it will confirm or deny the charges against Duterte within 60 days from February 27, the last day of the pre-trial hearing. (WATCH: SPECIAL COVERAGE: Duterte’s pre-trial hearing at the ICC)

Previous related fact-checks: Rappler has fact-checked numerous claims about Duterte’s detention at the ICC, particularly claims that he has returned to the Philippines or that he has been released from detention, as well as numerous claims pertaining to the ICC in general. 

The ICC has been a main target of disinformation since Duterte’s March 2025 arrest, and even in several instances before that. (READ: Inside the pro-Duterte playbook: A year of disinformation vs ICC case) – Percival Bueser/Rappler.com

Percival Bueser is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

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