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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
The quote cards add to the long list of fake statements attributed to prominent public figures and popular fictional characters that have circulated online following Duterte’s arrest
Claim: Quote cards from Fox News feature statements from personalities expressing support for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte following his arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
One of the quote cards features an alleged statement from a certain Representative Peter Russo: “Mr. Duterte’s arrest was political suicide. The ICC violated simple human rights by arresting this humble man who stood up for his country from the evil we call drugs. The ICC must release him at all costs.”
The second quote card is attributed to Louis Marlowe Litt, who is described as a corporate attorney: “Wrongfully accused? Classic case of power play. The ICC has got it all wrong — this isn’t justice, it’s a political hit job. I do not and will not support President Marcos. Free PRRD! Philippines, you just got Litt up!”
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook post containing the quote cards has 693 shares and 112 reactions as of writing.
The March 15 post also has the caption: “Loud and clear, empeech [impeach] BBM.”
The post surfaced following Duterte’s arrest on March 11 through a warrant issued by the ICC. He faces crimes against humanity charges linked to his war on drugs.
The facts: The quote cards are fake. Russo and Litt are fictional television characters: Russo is a character in the show House of Cards, played by actor Corey Stoll, while Litt is a character in the show Suits, portrayed by Rick Hoffman. The official website and social media page of Fox News show no quote card or statement similar to those shown in the circulating social media post.
Text in the alleged Russo quote card claimed that the ICC arrest violated human rights. The justice department, however, has refuted this, with spokesperson Mico Clavano saying on March 12 that the arrest “complied with both local and international standards.” Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon affirmed that the former president was read his rights and informed of the charges against him. Legal experts also said that Duterte’s arrest was “by the book.”
Duterte and the ICC: In a press release, the ICC said that Pre-Trial Chamber I found reasonable grounds to believe that Duterte is “individually responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator for the crime against humanity of murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019” — a time when the country was still a state party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC. (TIMELINE: The International Criminal Court and Duterte’s bloody war on drugs)
The Philippine National Police has previously admitted to killing 7,000 in legitimate anti-drug operations. However, human rights groups estimate that as many as 30,000 people, mostly poor small-time drug pushers and users, died in Duterte’s nationwide drug war.
The former president’s camp can still contest the legality of Duterte’s arrest and the court’s jurisdiction before the confirmation of charges hearing on September 23. (READ: What are the legal issues in Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague?)
Debunked: Since Duterte’s arrest, the Supreme Court, the ICC, and their judges have been at the receiving end of disinformation and attacks. The families of the drug war victims have also been subjected to a wave of online harassment.
Rappler has published several fact-checks disputing dubious quote cards related to Duterte’s arrest:
- FACT CHECK: Quote cards of Trump’s statements on Duterte arrest are fake
- FACT CHECK: Quote card on Duterte arrest cites fictional lawyer Elle Woods
- FACT CHECK: Fake quote cards expressing support for Duterte cite fictional characters
- FACT CHECK: Vice Ganda quote card on Duterte drug war, pandemic response is fake
– Sean Guevarra/Rappler.com
Sean Guevarra is a Rappler intern. He is a senior BS Development Communication student at the University of the Philippines Los Baños and the news editor for Tanglaw, the student publication of UPLB College of Development Communication.
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.
