FACT CHECK: Liza Marcos not detained in US, no exchange deal for Duterte release

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A video falsely claims Duterte’s arrest was meant to cover up the First Lady’s supposed involvement in the death of Rustan's executive Paolo Tantoco

Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has offered to facilitate the release of former president Rodrigo Duterte if US President Donald Trump releases First Lady Liza Marcos, who has been detained over the death of Rustan Commercial Corporation executive Paolo Tantoco.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook account posted the video bearing the claim in the group named “Protect Vice President Sara Duterte” on March 12, a day after Duterte was arrested over a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

The video’s narrator claims that Marcos has offered to help free Duterte in exchange for the release of the First Lady, who was supposedly detained in the US following Tantoco’s death on March 9. The video also includes text stating that Duterte’s arrest was meant to cover up the issue of the First Lady’s detention in the US.

As of writing, the video has garnered 46,000 shares, 7,000 likes, and 134 comments.

The video originated from a TikTok user, Marsy Botique 101, who has 15,000 followers. On Tiktok, it garnered 92,800 views, 4,540 likes, 577 comments, and 1,790 shares.

The facts: In a Philippine Star report on March 13, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro debunked the claim, adding that Marcos arrived in the Philippines on Monday after a working visit to the United States. 

“There is no truth to claims that the First Lady was held by any law enforcers while in Los Angeles or in any other place,” Castro said.

On March 11, the First Lady posted photos on her official Facebook page showing her attending the turnover of donations to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

Duterte’s arrest: Rumors of Marcos’ alleged involvement in Tantoco’s death surfaced following Duterte’s arrest on March 11 over a warrant issued by the ICC. He faces a crimes against humanity case in relation to his administration’s bloody drug war that killed close to 30,000 people, as well as the extrajudicial killings in Davao City when he was mayor. He is now in custody of the ICC. (READ: Inside story: Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC arrest)

Contrary to the video’s claims, Marcos has not offered to facilitate Duterte’s release. In a briefing in Malacañang, Marcos said Duterte’s arrest was conducted “in compliance with our commitments to Interpol.” – Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler.com

Lyndee Buenagua is a third year student journalist based in Baguio and an alumna of Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024.

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