DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 July) – A photo showing former President Rodrigo Duterte lying frail in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown with tubes and wristbands, has gone viral on social media, sparking concern among netizens. However, the image is fake and AI-generated.
The original Facebook post by user Chari Murphy gained massive engagement, with over 298,000 reactions, 55,200 comments, and 24,700 shares as of July 12. The caption read: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he looks frail and unwell now. At his age, he’s endured so much. 💔 He doesn’t deserve this — no one does. Only God knows what comes next… and the pain and impact it will have on millions of Filipinos, and even others around the world.”
Duterte, who turned 80 on March 28, is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, following his arrest on March 11 over alleged crimes against humanity filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC). He appeared via video on March 14 and is set for a confirmation of charges hearing on September 23.
Despite winning an eighth term as Davao City mayor on May 12, Duterte has not taken his oath or filed his Statement of Campaign Expenditures (SOCE). His son, Sebastian, has been serving as Acting Mayor since June 30.
The viral image falsely implies insider knowledge of Duterte’s condition. No official photos of him have been released since his ICC appearance. His ex-wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, recently stated that while he is “skin and bones,” he remains “healthy for his age,” though she noted he struggles with walking.
MindaNews verified the photo using InVID, a digital forensics tool, which detected signs of AI manipulation, including inconsistent compression, unnatural highlights, and grid disruptions—all hallmarks of fabricated imagery.
MindaNews adheres to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles and welcomes public leads for verification. (Allizah Keziah Manulat / MindaNews intern)
