FACT CHECK: Duterte not missing from ICC detention

Claim: Former president Rodrigo Duterte has gone missing after being kidnapped from the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center. 

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A YouTube video uploaded on March 18 by the channel “News Update Files” is titled “Nakakagulat ito! FPRRD kinidnap na? Nawawala si FPRRD sa ICC! ICC judges wala ng paki kay Duterte!”

(Shocking! [Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte] kidnapped? FPRRD missing from ICC! ICC judges don’t care about Duterte anymore!)

The thumbnail displayed text reading “FPRRD nawawala sa ICC? Kinidnap si Rodrigo Duterte?” (FPRRD missing from ICC? Rodrigo Duterte kidnapped?) alongside a photo of the former president with the label “Missing Person.” The text “Hindi na makita si FPRRD sa ICC!” (FPRRD can no longer be found at the ICC!) is also shown.

As of writing, the video has garnered over 16,000 views, 2,000 likes, and 56 comments.

The facts: Contrary to claims, Duterte is not missing and remains in custody at the ICC detention facility in Scheveningen, The Hague.

He has been held there since March 2025 and is officially listed as among those currently under ICC custody. No credible media outlet has reported him missing, abducted, or unaccounted for.

He marked his 81st birthday in detention on March 28, 2026, where supporters gathered outside the ICC facility to express their support. His son, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, said that he recently visited his father, whom he described as being in good condition.

The video in question is merely political commentary discussing lawyer Nicholas Kaufman’s defense presentations at Duterte’s February pre-trial hearing. 

Throughout the commentary, the narrator links Kaufman’s arguments to bribery allegations made by 18 former Marines — allegations already debunked by the ICC, former senator Antonio Trillanes, and Ombudsman Crispin “Boying” Remulla. The video does not present credible evidence that Duterte is missing or that ICC judges cannot locate him.

Detained at the Hague: Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities last March 2025, after the ICC issued a warrant against him for crimes against humanity charges. 

The former president stands accused of implementing a systematic “policy to kill” during his brutal anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2022. 

During Duterte’s pre-trial hearing from February 23 to 27, his legal team, led by Kaufman, slammed the prosecution’s case against him as “weak” and speculative. Kaufman questioned heavily redacted documents, arguing that there was no concrete evidence linking Duterte’s words to actual deaths.

The ICC pre-trial chamber is expected to release its decision on whether to proceed to trial by April.

Meanwhile, all appeals filed by Duterte seeking provisional release have been denied. His latest request was rejected on March 6. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. 

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