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Contrary to a claim made in a TikTok post, Duterte is not set to be released. The ICC has only deferred ruling on his interim release appeal and has not granted his freedom.
Claim: Former president Rodrigo Duterte will be released from detention in The Hague, Netherlands, according to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The TikTok video containing the claim has 31,100 views, 1,032 likes, 16 shares, and 152 comments as of writing.
The post includes a screenshot of a Manila Bulletin news graphic with the text, “ICC grants Duterte’s request to defer decision on interim release.”
Text overlaid on the screenshot states: “Makakalaya na according sa ICC ngayong July 24, 2025.” ([Rodrigo Duterte] will be released according to the ICC this July 24, 2025.)
Many Filipinos appeared to believe the claim, flooding the comments with expressions of gratitude for Duterte’s supposed release. One user wrote: “Daghang salamat, Ginoo, nga wala gyud nimo pasagdi si Tatay Digong ug karon makalaya na siya (Thank you so much, Lord, for never abandoning Tatay Digong, and now he’s finally free). Thank you, Lord, for the granted interim release.”
The facts: Duterte has not been released. He remains in ICC custody for crimes against humanity charges over his administration’s bloody drug war.
The claim misinterprets the ICC’s recent decision to defer ruling on Duterte’s appeal for interim release. In a ruling dated July 23, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted the request of Duterte’s camp to suspend the issuance of a decision on the release request filed by the former president’s team on June 12.
Contrary to the claim made in the TikTok post, this does not mean that Duterte’s request for interim release has been approved. The court clarified that the deferment was procedural and does not prejudge the outcome of the appeal. No official ruling granting Duterte’s temporary release has been issued as of writing.
Meanwhile, ICC spokesperson Dr. Fadi El-Abdallah said in a statement to media: “I can confirm that there is no change in the status of Mr. Duterte. He is still in the ICC detention center.”
This was in response to rumors that Duterte had gone out of the ICC detention facility at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands.
ICC detention: Duterte has been under ICC custody since March 11, 2025, following his arrest under an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s controversial drug war.
His legal team is seeking interim release on humanitarian grounds, citing his advanced age and the willingness of another country to host him under strict court-imposed conditions. However, ICC prosecutors have strongly opposed the request, arguing that Duterte remains a high flight risk who could obstruct the ongoing investigation or even repeat the alleged offenses if released.
Prosecutors have also underscored Duterte’s history of public threats against ICC staff and his stated refusal to recognize the court’s authority, which they say casts serious doubt on his pledge to comply with judicial proceedings.
Duterte is scheduled to appear before the ICC on September 23 for a confirmation of charges hearing, where judges will decide if the case against him will proceed to a full trial.
Debunked: Rappler has previously debunked similar posts falsely claiming that Duterte has already been released from ICC detention:
– Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com
Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU). An Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2025, she is also the feature editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication.
