FACT CHECK: Contrary to claim, news report did not state ICC dismissal of Duterte case

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The report cited in the misleading video was about the ICC rejecting the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the investigation — essentially allowing the probe to continue

Claim: According to a news report, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte in relation to the drug war killings under his administration.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The claim can be found in a Facebook video posted in the group “Protect Vice President Sara Duterte.” It was uploaded following Duterte’s arrest through an order by the ICC. 

The video shows a PTV News report dated July 19, 2023; the added caption states: “Patunay na dinismissed ng ICC ang case laban sa PRRD DRUG WAR | Dahil kulang at walang sapat na ebidensya ang inirepresenta sa knila.” 

(Proof that ICC dismissed its case against PRRD DRUG WAR | Because the evidence presented to them is insufficient and not enough.)

The video’s caption implies that Duterte’s arrest was unlawful because the ICC had already dismissed the drug war case against the former president.

The facts: The PTV News report shown in the video did not state that the ICC has dismissed the case against Duterte. On the contrary, it was actually about the continuation of the tribunal’s investigations into the drug war-related killings and the alleged death squad in Davao City under Duterte’s leadership.

The 2023 report stated that the ICC junked the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the probe into the drug war killings. It also showed statements by Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go expressing dismay at the decision.

Recent updates on Duterte and the ICC: Following a trip to Hong Kong, Duterte was arrested on March 11 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport through a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC and coursed through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

He was then brought to Villamor Air Base and flown to the Netherlands on a chartered jet the same day. 

The former president, arrested over crimes of humanity, is set to attend his first hearing on March 14. (LIVE UPDATES: Rodrigo Duterte arrested over ICC case)

Previous related fact-checks: Rappler has previously debunked claims related to the ICC. Following Duterte’s arrest, false claims have circulated on social media:

• FACT CHECK: Liza Marcos not detained in US, no exchange deal for Duterte release
• FACT CHECK: ‘Duterte’ chants in video are manipulated, not taken in Netherlands
• FACT CHECK: Quote cards of Trump’s statements on Duterte arrest are fake
• FACT CHECK: Vice Ganda quote card on Duterte drug war, pandemic response is fake
  

– Percival Bueser/ Rappler.com

Percival Bueser is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.