Fact check: Viral airport photo does not show Duterte back in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — A viral image purporting to show former President Rodrigo Duterte with members of his family at an airport falsely claims that he has returned to the Philippines.
The image, which appears to use Duterte's appearance during his recent International Criminal Court (ICC) hearing, shows him alongside Vice President Sara Duterte, Honeylet Avanceña, Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte and Veronica "Kitty" Duterte.
Two Facebook posts shared the image with captions claiming that the former president had returned to the Philippines.
One post was published on September 17, while another was posted on September 19, days after Duterte made his first in-person appearance before the ICC on September 16. He had previously appeared before the court via video link during his initial appearance in March 2025.
magagalit na naman si ante kler nito ???? tatay digong pauwi na ng pilipinas ????????
The image also circulated on TikTok, where some posts garnered thousands of views.
TikTok posts similarly shared the image with claims that Duterte had returned to the Philippines.
Duterte has not returned to the Philippines. He remains in ICC custody in The Hague, Netherlands. On September 16, Trial Chamber III ordered that he continue to be detained after finding "no notable change" in circumstances that would warrant his release, with or without conditions.
The chamber said the prospect of Duterte facing trial, and a lengthy prison sentence if convicted, had increased the risk of him absconding or obstructing or endangering court proceedings.
As of the September 16 detention ruling, the chamber's decision on Duterte's fitness to stand trial remained pending. The judges said reports submitted by a panel of three court-appointed medical experts did not contain information warranting a change in his detention.
“The Chamber finds that the prospect of the Accused facing a trial, and (in the event of a conviction), a lengthy prison sentence, has increased. There is, therefore, a likelihood of the Accused absconding and/or obstructing or endangering the investigation or the court proceedings,” the five-page decision read.
Duterte's trial is scheduled to open on November 30. The ICC confirmed in April three counts of crimes against humanity brought against him and committed him to trial.
The viral photo is one of several AI-generated images and videos of Duterte that have circulated since his appearance at the ICC, with one video claiming to show Duterte thanking his supporters.
Duterte appeared in person at the ICC for the first time on September 16 for the third status conference in his case. He only previously appeared before the court via videolink during his initial appearance in March 2025.
The former president’s trial is scheduled to open on November 30, as he faces three counts of crimes against humanity over his administration’s war on drugs.
As of September 22, one of the Facebook posts has garnered more than 2,800 reactions, 300 comments, and 100 shares, while the other has obtained more than 2,100 reactions, 250 comments, and 100 shares.
One of the TikTok videos, meanwhile, has garnered more than 400,000 views, 19,600 likes, and 500 comments, while the other has gained at least 73,000 views, 5,000 likes, and 300 comments.
abtestabtest DILG, DepEd to formalize ‘visible patrols’ in public schools By Renalyn Ramirez | 6 hours ago These "visible patrols," according to Castro, may be composed of barangay security officers, particularly women,... Headlines Marcoleta forgoes participation in impeach trial By Neil Jayson Servallos | 13 hours ago Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is no longer inclined to participate in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial amid... Headlines VP-linked firms had deals with Davao government – witness By Daphne Galvez | 13 hours ago Vice President Sara Duterte secured 49 government contracts worth around P35 million while serving as the second highest official... Headlines Firm in VP Sara's SALN won millions in Davao City contracts By Cristina Chi | 21 hours ago A company that Vice President Sara Duterte declared as one of her business interests won nearly P36 million in government... Headlines Baste Duterte: Davao City unaware of VP Sara's GenCorp interests By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 1 day ago VP Sara declared GenCorp in her SALN. Her brother says Davao City never knew. Headlines Latest More in Headlines Senate court rejects Cayetano bid to block impeach threshold vote Marcos admin ‘seriously considering’ absolute pardon for Mary Jane Veloso Leonen to serve as acting chief justice after Gesmundo's retirement Trough of tropical depression to bring rains to parts of Visayas, Mindanao — PAGASA abtest DOTr: Fare hike a 'last resort' as fuel prices surge By Renalyn Ramirez | 4 hours ago As fuel costs bite, DOTr says commuters should be spared for now. Headlines LIVE Coverage: Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, Sept. 23 By PhilstarLIVE | 5 hours ago Follow the trial, in context and in real time. Headlines Nov. 16-18 set as non-working days in Metro Manila for ASEAN Summit By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 5 hours ago Malacañang has declared November 16 to 18, 2026 as special non-working days in the National Capital Region as the Philippines... Headlines Palace: No fare hike for now By Alexis Romero | 13 hours ago The Marcos administration is not yet inclined to increase public transport fares despite the latest surge in fuel prices triggered... Headlines Recommended Kasosyo sa negosyo ni VP Sara, naging envoy sa China ni Digong September 23, 2026 - 12:00am Kasosyo sa negosyo ni Vice President Sara Duterte si Jaime Tan Cruz na naging special envoy to China for trade and investments na itinalaga noong 2019 ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE OVP P785.2 milyong budget, pasado na sa Kamara 13 hours ago Pasado na sa Kamara ang panukalang P785.2 milyong pondo ng Office of the Vice President para sa taong 2027 at wala ni isang... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Stockholding ni VP Sara nasa SALN, wala sa SEC September 23, 2026 - 12:00am Bagamat’t nakatala sa 2024 Statement of Asset, Liabilities and Net Worth si Vice President Sara Duterte bilang umano’y stockholder ng Gencorp. Industries Inc. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Marcos admin sinisi ni VP Sara sa school shootings September 22, 2026 - 12:00am Binatikos at hayagang isinisi ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa administrasyong Marcos ang serye ng pamamaril sa mga paaralan sa bansa. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Lugi ang 18 negosyo nina VP Sara at Mans - prosecution September 22, 2026 - 12:00am Inihayag kahapon ng House prosecution panel sa nagpapatuloy na impeachment trial laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte na lugi o walang naitalang kita para sa Bise Presidente at sa kanyang mister na si Atty. Manases...r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE next Recommended Kasosyo sa negosyo ni VP Sara, naging envoy sa China ni Digong Kasosyo sa negosyo ni Vice President Sara Duterte si Jaime Tan Cruz na naging special envoy to China for trade and investments na itinalaga noong 2019 ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. 13 hours ago SARA DUTERTE OVP P785.2 milyong budget, pasado na sa Kamara Pasado na sa Kamara ang panukalang P785.2 milyong pondo ng Office of the Vice President para sa taong 2027 at wala ni isang Kongresistang tumutol. 13 hours ago SARA DUTERTE Stockholding ni VP Sara nasa SALN, wala sa SEC Bagamat’t nakatala sa 2024 Statement of Asset, Liabilities and Net Worth si Vice President Sara Duterte bilang umano’y stockholder ng Gencorp. Industries Inc. 13 hours ago SARA DUTERTE Marcos admin sinisi ni VP Sara sa school shootings Binatikos at hayagang isinisi ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa administrasyong Marcos ang serye ng pamamaril sa mga paaralan sa bansa. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Lugi ang 18 negosyo nina VP Sara at Mans - prosecution Inihayag kahapon ng House prosecution panel sa nagpapatuloy na impeachment trial laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte na lugi o walang naitalang kita para sa Bise Presidente at sa kanyang mister na si Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio ang kanilang 18 korporasyon. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
