Bogus Duterte report used to drive traffic to e-commerce site
"The ICC meted a 'reclusion perpetua' sentence on ex-Pres Duterte because of [extrajudicial killings]," reads the bogus graphic shared July 8, 2025 on Facebook.
The post, which has been taken down, bears the logo of broadcaster ABS-CBN and its flagship news programme TV Patrol, and includes an old photo of Duterte (archived here, here and here).
Reclusion perpetua, a term used in Philippine law, refers to imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years and one day to a maximum of 40 years (archived link).
Duterte remains in detention at the ICC awaiting a court hearing scheduled in September to confirm his charges. He stands accused of crimes against humanity over his government's brutal "war on drugs" that rights groups say killed thousands (archived link).
The former president is currently seeking an interim release to an unnamed country (archived link).
The supposed news graphic, also shared on multiple Facebook groups, carried an identical caption and link that purports to show the complete news report.
Comments show people appeared to believe it was a genuine image from ABS-CBN.
"ABS-CBN is taking revenge because [Duterte] shut you down," one wrote, referring to when the former leader's government forced the broadcaster off air in 2020 (archived link).
"ABS-CBN, I don't believe your news reports!" another said.
Jonathan de Santos, deputy editor at ABS-CBN News, told AFP on July 11 the organisation did not release the circulating graphic.
He also shared an article on ABS-CBN's website that debunked a similar post in June (archived link).
A review of the link shared in the false posts found it is a masked URL that leads to a product sold over e-commerce platform Lazada (archived link).
A spokesperson for Lazada said the company reviewed the post and found it "contains misleading content with affiliate links that direct users to Lazada".
The company has an affiliate program where content creators can apply to earn commission through promoting a brand or product available at the online store (archived link).
"We are taking appropriate action with this page/account given this activity directly violates the LazAffiliates Terms and Conditions," the spokesperson told AFP on July 15.
AFP has repeatedly debunked misinformation around Duterte's arrest and detention here.
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