FACT-CHECK: No official announcement on Duterte’s release and transfer to a ‘third country’

Jul 14, 2025 | Fact Checked by PressOnePH

CLAIM: The International Criminal Court has allowed the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte and ordered him to be sent to a “third country.”
 
RATING: FALSE

 

A Tiktok post from “El Diablo Rides Adventures Vlogs” and YouTube videos posted by “Reaction TV” and “Robin Sweet News” falsely claimed that detained former president Rodrigo  Duterte has been officially released by the International Criminal Court (ICC) from detention at The Hague, and is to be transferred to a “third country.”

The videos contain captions that declare the alleged release of Duterte. One of the videos stated, “DUTERTE ILALABAS AT ILILIPAT NA SA THIRD COUNTRY! NAGPANIC NA ANG LOYALISTA AT KAKAMPINK!”

(Duterte to be released and transferred to a Third Country! Kakampink and Loyalists panicked!)

However, the urgent request of interim release by submitted by Duterte’s defense, has not yet been granted by the ICC. Hence, he remains detained in the ICC.

While the prosecution has confirmed its non-opposition to Duterte’s interim release, the decision has yet to be reviewed by the competent chamber, which conducts periodic reviews at least every 120 days.

On June 16, lawyer Harry Roque posted a Facebook video from the “Alvin & Tourism” page that features Duterte’s son, Rep. Paulo Duterte, discussing the situation of his father in ICC detention.

Moreover, there is no official report revealing the name of the receiving third-party state, since this information has been redacted in the official document of the ICC.

As of writing, the uploaded YouTube videos have amassed 300,574 views and 13,700 likes while the Tiktok video has garnered 1,191 views and 99 likes. Marybeth Realba, Christina Bordeos, and Maan Badua


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