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Russia, US, UK Not Attempting to Secure Duterte’s Release from ICC, Fact Check Reveals
Claims circulating on social media that Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom are working together to secure former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s release from International Criminal Court custody are entirely false, according to a comprehensive fact check.
Several Facebook pages posing as legitimate news outlets have been spreading the fabricated narrative, collectively reaching over 45,000 followers. The misleading posts have garnered significant engagement, with more than 5,300 reactions, 1,539 comments, and 380 shares.
One particularly viral post features images of Duterte alongside US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Britain’s King Charles. Text overlaid on the image claims: “Three countries join forces for [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte]. A king set to intervene at the ICC to secure PRRD’s release?”
The caption further elaborates on this fictional scenario, describing an “unexpected one-two punch” against the ICC after “two of the world’s most powerful leaders joined forces” to challenge the court’s authority. The post even falsely claims that ICC judges involved in Duterte’s case have been arrested.
However, there is no credible evidence supporting any of these assertions. No reputable news sources have reported any coordination between Russia, the US, the UK, or any other nation regarding Duterte’s case. Similarly, there are no verified reports of King Charles planning to intervene personally in the matter.
The ICC operates as an independent judicial body established under the Rome Statute, with its own legal framework and procedures. Notably, neither Russia nor the United States are ICC members, meaning they have no formal authority to interfere in the court’s arrest or detention processes.
While the ICC has faced external pressures in recent years—including Russia issuing jail verdicts against some ICC officials and US sanctions targeting court personnel—these actions stemmed from the court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Putin in 2023 and for Israeli leaders in 2024, not from Duterte’s case.
Throughout these external challenges, the ICC has maintained its commitment to “continue to carry out its mandate with independence and impartiality, in full accordance with the Rome Statute and in the interest of victims of international crimes.”
Duterte has been detained at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen, The Hague, since March 11, 2025, following his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs campaign during his presidency. His appeal for temporary release was unanimously rejected by the Appeals Chamber, and he remains in ICC custody as pre-trial preparations continue.
In December 2025, a court-appointed medical panel consisting of three experts evaluated Duterte’s physical and cognitive condition. While acknowledging the 80-year-old former president’s frailty, the panel determined that he retains sufficient mental capacity to meaningfully participate in pre-trial proceedings.
Duterte’s defense team subsequently requested a new medical assessment, arguing that his cognitive state might affect detention-related risks under Article 58(1)(b) of the Rome Statute. However, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected this request, ruling that the existing expert findings were adequate and declining to order a new evaluation.
The spread of such fabricated information highlights the ongoing challenge of disinformation surrounding high-profile international cases. Social media platforms continue to be vectors for false narratives that can rapidly reach thousands of users, underscoring the importance of critical media literacy and fact-checking in the digital age.
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10 Comments
As an investor in mining and energy stocks, I’m always on the lookout for how geopolitical events can impact commodity markets. This report suggests the viral claims about Duterte’s ICC case are unfounded.
Agreed, it’s crucial for investors to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to high-stakes geopolitical issues that could move markets. This fact check is a helpful reality check.
Interesting to see fact-checking on claims about global leaders’ involvement in Duterte’s ICC case. Curious to learn more about the real dynamics at play here between Russia, the US, UK, and the ICC.
Yes, it’s important to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to high-profile international cases like this. The report seems to debunk the viral social media claims.
The mining and commodities sectors are often intertwined with geopolitics. I’m curious to see if this story has any connection to the global competition for resources like gold, silver, or rare earths.
That’s a good point. The intersection of politics, justice, and the extractive industries is an important area to monitor. This fact check helps provide some clarity.
This case highlights the complexities of international justice and the challenges the ICC faces. I wonder what the implications could be if major powers like Russia, US, and UK were actively trying to interfere.
Absolutely, the geopolitical dynamics around the ICC are fascinating and often contentious. Fact-checking these types of claims is crucial to maintaining transparency.
The relationship between global powers and the ICC is a complex and often controversial topic. This fact check sheds light on the reality of the situation around Duterte, rather than the misleading claims circulating online.
Definitely. Maintaining an accurate understanding of these types of high-profile legal and political cases is important, especially for those of us following the mining and commodities sectors.