Duterte remains detained in The Hague

Former president Rodrigo Duterte remains in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague even as a TikTok video used old footage to falsely claim he had returned to the Philippines. 

The 30-second video posted by @joongkukofficial last March 30 passed off old clips to falsely report Duterte’s return from detention in The Hague. Its caption said: 

Welcome back PRRD Rodrigo Roa Duterte

A reverse image search of one clip leads to the March 11, 2025 Balitanghali report about Duterte’s return to the Philippines from Hong Kong before he was taken into ICC custody. In the reused clip, anchor Connie Sison said:

Mainit-init na balita, nakauwi na sa bansa si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte (Breaking news, former President Rodrigo Duterte has already returned to the country) [0:01–0:05 mark]

Three fist-bump emoji stickers were placed at the top left of the video to cover the original date of the report.  

A reverse image search of another clip shows a video posted on Feb. 28, 2025 by TikTok user @axelcerilla showing the former president arriving at the Hugpong ng Pagbabago Convention in Davao City. 

Duterte has been detained at the ICC since his arrest in March 2025 to face trial over charges of crimes against humanity arising from his bloody war on drugs. 

As of writing, the TikTok post uploaded by pro-Duterte supporter @axelcerilla has garnered 12.6 million views, 1.6 million likes, 33,100 comments and 38,400 shares. Several TikTok users like @jhennielopez, @roquetanaed1 and @worldhistorical7125 reuploaded the video. (JS)