ICC Judges Begin Deliberations in Duterte Case as Misinformation Spreads

A wave of false information has swept across social media platforms claiming that three International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have withdrawn from the crimes against humanity case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and that he has been released from detention.

The misleading claim, which appeared on Facebook on February 26, has already gained significant traction with over 4,300 reactions, 1,100 comments, and nearly 400 shares. The post featured manipulated images showing Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, and ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, supposedly holding documents with the word “RELEASED” prominently displayed.

Court officials have confirmed that no such developments have occurred. According to the most recent ICC press release dated February 27, the Pre-Trial Chamber I judges have not withdrawn from the case, and no order for Duterte’s release has been issued. The fabricated images were flagged by AI detection tools as being artificially generated, with analysis revealing inconsistencies in text clarity and document authenticity.

The circulation of these false claims coincides with the conclusion of the four-day pre-trial hearing in Duterte’s case. As per established ICC procedures, the judges of Pre-Trial Chamber I have now begun deliberations and will deliver a written decision within 60 days, in accordance with Regulation 53 of the Regulations of the Court.

Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, and transferred to the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs campaign. Human rights organizations have reported that over 30,000 individuals, including children and civilians, were killed during this campaign, which critics have characterized as a “war against the poor.”

The recently concluded pre-trial hearings, held on February 23, 24, 26, and 27, featured prosecutors presenting evidence of Duterte’s alleged orchestration of extrajudicial killings. The prosecution team cited witness testimonies and public statements made by the former president that allegedly encouraged violence against suspected drug offenders.

In response, Duterte’s defense team, led by attorney Nicholas Kaufman, argued that there was no causal link between Duterte’s rhetoric and the killings that occurred during his administration.

The ICC judges now face three possible paths forward: they may confirm the charges and proceed to a full trial if they determine there is sufficient evidence; decline to pursue the case due to insufficient evidence; or adjourn the hearing and request the Prosecutor to provide additional evidence or modify the charges.

This is not the first instance of misinformation regarding Duterte’s ICC case. Fact-checking organizations have previously debunked similar false claims circulating on social media platforms, indicating a pattern of deliberate attempts to mislead the public about the proceedings.

As deliberations continue, court watchers note that the case represents a significant test for international justice mechanisms and their ability to hold former heads of state accountable for alleged human rights violations. The ICC’s decision, expected within the next two months, will determine whether one of the most controversial anti-drug campaigns in recent history will face full international scrutiny.