VICE President Sara Duterte has dismissed as fake AI-generated photos circulating online depicting her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in a weakened state.
In an interview from The Hague on Tuesday, she specifically refuted an image showing the former president in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital bracelet and nametag.
“The photo is not true,” she stated, adding that no legitimate photos have emerged from inside his detention cell. She clarified that while her father has indeed lost significant weight since his detention, appearing “skin and bones,” the online images exaggerate his condition.
The Vice President previously reported that her father’s health has been affected by his detention, prompting him to request cremation should he die in The Hague.
However, she emphasized that the circulating photos are misleading, stating, “He doesn’t look malnourished, he doesn’t look weak. He’s just really thin.” This statement directly counters the narrative presented by the widely circulated AI-generated images, suggesting a deliberate attempt to misrepresent his current health. The denial from the Vice President comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the former president’s health and well-being during his detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Vice President’s strong denial highlights the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly through social media, particularly when dealing with sensitive issues such as a public figure’s health. Her comments underscore the importance of verifying the authenticity of information found online, especially images that may be manipulated or AI-generated. The incident serves as a cautionary tale regarding the spread of misinformation and the need for responsible reporting and fact-checking in the digital age.
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