FACT CHECK: Circulating photo shows altered image of Sara Duterte in handcuffs

A photograph circulating on social media, purportedly showing Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte in handcuffs, has been debunked as an AI-generated fake. Rappler Philippines' fact-check confirmed the image is altered. The doctored photo, accompanied by false claims that Duterte was arrested and handcuffed following a September 4 arrest order from the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for three counts of grave threats, was widely shared. Captions accompanying the image expressed a "quiet satisfaction" at seeing the Vice President in handcuffs, even if only briefly before she posted bail. In reality, the original photograph is from Duterte's visit to Ateneo de Zamboanga University following a shooting incident on August 18. She was not seen wearing handcuffs when she arrived at the Quezon City RTC Branch 98 to post bail. Duterte herself shared photos of her university visit on Facebook, including the unaltered original version of the doctored image. Following her bail, Duterte told reporters that she "does not feel safe" with the police personnel deployed at the court. The arrest order stemmed from complaints filed with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over her November 23, 2024, midnight press conference, where she stated she had already spoken to someone who would kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the House Speaker if she herself were killed. AI detection tools have flagged the photo as 99% AI-generated. Separately, Duterte's grave threats case is cited as the fourth article of impeachment against her at the Senate impeachment court. Experts, however, note that the criminal case in Quezon City RTC will not affect the ongoing impeachment trial, as impeachment proceedings are distinct from criminal proceedings.