Fighting Disinformation: Rappler’s Fact-Check Initiative Counters False Claims About ICC Case

In a media landscape increasingly threatened by deliberate misinformation, Rappler’s fact-checking unit has documented a troubling pattern of false narratives surrounding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign.

The Philippine news organization has identified numerous fabricated claims circulating widely on social media platforms that appear designed to undermine the legitimacy of the ICC proceedings and confuse the public about the status of the investigation.

“We’ve observed a coordinated effort to spread disinformation about the ICC case over the past year,” said a spokesperson from Rappler’s fact-checking team. “These false narratives follow similar patterns and are often amplified by accounts with significant followings.”

Among the debunked claims is a viral assertion that Duterte had been “released” from the ICC case in February 2026. Rappler’s verification revealed this to be entirely false, as the ICC investigation remains ongoing with no such decision having been made by the court.

Another fabricated story claimed ICC judges walked out during an opening statement by legal counsel Joel Butuyan. Fact-checkers confirmed this never occurred, tracing the claim to manipulated video content that had been taken out of context.

The fact-checking initiative also identified instances where visual evidence was deliberately misrepresented. One example involved a photograph of Duterte holding a gun that was presented in viral social media posts as evidence submitted to the ICC. Rappler’s investigation determined the image had been taken out of context and misrepresented in terms of its significance to the proceedings.

“What we’re seeing is a playbook of disinformation tactics aimed at discrediting the ICC process,” explained a digital forensics expert consulted by Rappler. “This includes fabricated events, manipulated images, and false claims about court proceedings that never happened.”

The ICC investigation centers on allegations that Duterte’s administration committed crimes against humanity during his controversial drug war, which human rights organizations estimate resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. The investigation has remained a contentious issue in Philippine politics, with supporters of the former president frequently challenging its legitimacy.

Rappler’s fact-checking operations are part of a broader initiative to combat online disinformation in the Philippines. The organization has developed a systematic approach to verifying claims and publishes corrections to false information circulated by public officials, key personalities, and social media accounts.

“Fact-checking is done both internally and externally to create and sustain an environment anchored on truth, which is essential to a healthy and working democracy,” states Rappler on its fact-check page. The organization encourages readers to report suspected false information for verification.

To support these efforts, Rappler has partnered with international organizations including the National Endowment of Democracy, UNESCO, Internews, Meedan, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The news outlet is also a verified signatory to the fact checkers’ code of ethics established by the International Fact-Checkers Network at Poynter Institute.

Media literacy experts emphasize that such fact-checking initiatives play a crucial role in preserving democratic discourse, particularly when judicial proceedings of international significance are concerned.

“When disinformation targets legal institutions like the ICC, it undermines not just a specific case but public trust in the entire justice system,” noted a regional media observer. “Rappler’s work in documenting and debunking these false narratives serves a vital democratic function.”

The organization has compiled its findings into a comprehensive report titled “Inside the pro-Duterte playbook: A year of disinformation vs ICC case,” which details the patterns and methods used to spread false information about the proceedings.