FALSE: Rodrigo Duterte returned to Davao

Kristine Claire Edaga

A title of a YouTube video claims that former President Rodrigo Duterte has returned to Davao City, despite his continued detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. 

CLAIM: 

The video, uploaded by the News Update Files YouTube channel, is titled “KAPAPASOK LANG! FPRRD NASA DAVAO NA! CONFIRMED! GOODNEWS! ITO PALA ANG BIG SURPRISE NI VP SARA!” The title claims that Duterte is already in Davao City and describes the supposed return as a “big surprise” from Vice President Sara Duterte.

RATING: FALSE

CONCLUSION:

Rodrigo Duterte remains detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. There is no verified report confirming that he has returned to Davao City. 

THE FACTS:

• Rodrigo Duterte has been in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague since March 2025. 
• Duterte appeared in person before the ICC in The Hague on September 16, 2026 for a status conference in his case. 
• The ICC Trial Chamber III ordered Duterte to remain in detention, finding no change in circumstances that would justify his release. 
• Duterte’s continued detention means that the claim that he had already returned to Davao is inconsistent with the latest verified reports on his status.
• No verified report confirms that Duterte has returned to Davao City. The latest available reports instead place him in ICC custody in The Hague.

THE BOTTOMLINE:

The title of the video is FALSE. Duterte has not returned to Davao. He remains detained at the ICC in The Hague.