Jailed Philippine ex-leader not released after election win
"So happy, welcome back home Father Digong," says a Tagalog-language Facebook post on May 16, 2025, using Duterte's popular nickname and sharing pictures of him on a flight.
Duterte's supporters on Facebook shared similar posts days after he was re-elected mayor of his family stronghold Davao city in a landslide vote while in a cell in The Hague (archived link).
He was arrested at Manila's international airport on March 11, 2025 and flown to the International Criminal Court to face charges tied to his crackdown on drugs that killed thousands (archived link).
His camp has said they would seek his interim release but AFP has not found any official notice on the tribunal's website this had been granted as of May 21 (archived here and here).
Duterte's communication has come sporadically and through surrogates, mainly his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte who was asked about Davao city possibly having an "absentee mayor" (archived link).
"Well definitely yes, he really isn't here," she said following Duterte's mayoral win.
Moreover, the circulating visuals purportedly showing Duterte's return home are misrepresented.
A reverse image search on Google found the ex-president's photo on a commercial plane in a July 8, 2016 article from MindaNews (archived link).
"Philippine Air Lines steward greets President Rodrigo Duterte at the economy section of the aircraft that would bring him to Davao City from Manila on Thursday, July 7, 2016," says its caption.
Local media outlet Rappler said he was attending an event with Muslim leaders from southern Philippines (archived link).
Meanwhile, his other picture surrounded by aides inside an aircraft was taken on an official trip to India, according to state-run Philippine News Agency that published the photo on January 25, 2018 (archived here and here).
"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte flashes his signature pose with the members of his delegation while on board Philippine Airlines chartered flight PR001 bound for New Delhi, India on January 24, 2018," reads the caption.
Duterte's next trial to confirm charges is scheduled on September 23 (archived link).
AFP has debunked more misinformation surrounding his arrest here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Israel Sends 'Urgent Warning' for Iranian Citizens To Evacuate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Israel has issued an "urgent warning to Iranian citizens" to evacuate areas close to Iran's military sites after fresh exchanges of strikes between the two countries overnight raised fears of further escalation. Anyone near areas linked to Tehran's military "should immediately leave these areas and not return until further notice," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post to its Persian-language account on Sunday. Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on Iran late on Thursday it described as a "pre-emptive" and "combined offensive" on the country based on "high-quality intelligence." Missiles illuminate the night sky during an Iranian missile attack in Jerusalem, early Sunday, June 15, 2025. Missiles illuminate the night sky during an Iranian missile attack in Jerusalem, early Sunday, June 15, 2025. AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean The operation, dubbed "Rising Lion," killed several high-ranking Iranian commanders — including the head of Iran's armed forces — and scientists connected to Iran's nuclear program. Iran's representative to the United Nations said on Friday 78 people had been killed and over 300 more injured. Iran vowed to respond, launching barrages of missiles and attack drones at Israel. This is a breaking story. More updates to follow.
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Iran striking Israel with new guided ballistic missile named after infamous general killed on Trump's orders in 2020
Iran used a newly developed ballistic missile in its latest barrage of airstrikes against Israel Saturday that is named after General Qassem Soleimani who was killed on orders from President Trump 2020. The Jewish state was bombed with a new Haj Qassem guided ballistic missile in the volley of strikes that killed 10 and injured 200 overnight from Saturday into Sunday, CNN reported, citing FARS new agency. The regime claims that the Haj Qassem guided ballistic missile is designed to evade Israel's Iron Dome defense system — and will even be able to get past the US military's Terminal High Altitude Defense, which has been deployed to Israel, the outlet reported. 5 An Iran-made Haj Qassem missile is displayed in the streets of Tehran on Feb. 10, 2025. Middle East Images/AFP via Getty 5 The regime claims that the Haj Qassem guided ballistic missile is designed to evade Israel's Iron Dome defense system. Middle East Images/AFP via Getty 'The new ballistic missile is also equipped with an advanced navigation system that allows it to hit targets precisely and counter electronic warfare,' Iran's Tansim news agency reported in early May. The name of the missile system is a reference to the infamous General Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds forces, who was killed in a drone strike in Iraq on orders of President Donald Trump in 2020. Trump called Soleimani the 'number-one terrorist' and justified the unprecedented action by stating the general was 'plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel.' 5 Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani attends a meeting with Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 18, 2016. Getty Images 5 An Iranian missile explodes, lighting up the Tel Aviv skyline during an overnight attack on June 14, 2025. AP 5 Rescue workers inspect a damaged building hit by an Iranian ballistic missile in Tel Aviv, Israel on June 13, 2025. Matan Golan/SOPA Images/Shutterstock 'At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization,' the Pentagon said in a statement at the time. Iran called the killing an act of war and fired a volley of missiles at US targets in retaliation for the killing of the Iranian icon.
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
Wife of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman used her body as a ‘shield' to protect daughter during shooting: family
The wife of the wounded Minnesota state senator targeted during an overnight assassination attempt shielded the couple's daughter as the masked gunman opened fire on the family, missing the couple's vital organs by inches, family and reports said. Yvette Hoffman jumped on top of her adult daughter, Hope, while alleged assassin Vance Luther Boetler fired multiple shots at her and State Sen. John Hoffman inside their Minneapolis suburb home early Saturday morning, according to Hoffman's nephew. 'Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of s–t dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle's house and shot him 6 times and my aunt 5 times in a political act of terrorism. My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life,' Mat Ollig wrote on Facebook. Advertisement One of the bullets narrowly missed the Democratic senator's heart, KARE11 reported. 7 Yvette and Sen. John Hoffman were wounded in a shooting at their Minnesota home on June 14, 2025. Mat Ollig/Facebook Police responded to a 911 call at the residence in Champlin, Minn. just after 2 a.m. and discovered the Hoffmans wounded, rushing them to a hospital where they underwent surgery. Advertisement Ollig revealed his aunt and uncle were out of surgery and in stable condition. Yvette Hoffman was awake and alert in the hospital as of Saturday night, KMSP reported. Hope Hoffman, who is in her 20s, was not hit in the shooting. Bullet holes riddled the front of the Champlin home, the first house he allegedly targeted in his rampage before driving to Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Rep. Melissa Hortman's home in Brooklyn Park. Boelter is accused of fatally shooting Hortman and her husband, Mark, inside their home at around 3:30 a.m. Advertisement 7 The Hoffmans were shot multiple time and underwent surgery. Both are listed as stable. John Hoffman/Facebook 7 Security cameras captured Vance Boelter wanted by the FBI for the shootings. FBI The gunman allegedly posed as a police officer and appeared at the front doorsteps of the Hortman residence and opened fire on the couple, officials announced Rep. Hortman, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene and her husband died at a nearby hospital. Advertisement Brooklyn Park police were notified of the shooting in Champlin and did a check on the Hortmans when they found the masked gunman, wearing a uniform and badge, exiting the home. Officers fired at the gunman, who took cover back inside the home, before he managed to escape. 7 A Champlin police car blocks the road to the Hoffmans' home after the shooting on June 14, 2025. FOX 9 7 The gunman wore a mask and a police uniform and vest during the shootings. FBI Police opened up an urgent search for Boelter, setting up a 3-mile perimeter Saturday morning. A lockdown of homes near the Brooklyn Park shooting was lifted late Saturday, but police urged residents to be alert and not confront any suspicious individuals, and not open doors to solo officers. Boetler's wife, Jenny Boetler, was detained by police for questioning Saturday after being pulled over with several relatives near Onamia, Minn, local KTSP reported. 7 Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman was assassinated alongside her husband at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Melissa Hortman/Facebook Advertisement Boelter was appointed to the non-partisan Workforce Development Council in 2016 by former Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton. Gov. Tim Walz appointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Board in 2019. His term ran out in 2023. Walz called the shootings on both Hortman and Hoffman a 'politically motivated assassination.' 7 Boelter was appointed to the non-partisan Workforce Development Council in 2016 by former Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton. HANDOUT/MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Advertisement Boelter left behind a 'manifesto' listing the names of 70 politicians, including Walz and his Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and a stack of papers stating 'No Kings' in reference to the nationwide anti-Trump protests, according to police. The apparent hit list included abortion providers, clinics and Planned Parenthood, sources told The Post. Both of the Democrats he targeted were pro-choice. Police are weighing whether Boetler held extreme anti-abortion views, the sources said. Hortman was staunchly pro-choice and led the Minnesota House in passing the PRO Act in 2023, which codified the legality of abortion and other forms of reproductive health care. She also boosted funding for abortion clinics and passed protections for providers.
