A fake image showing Vice President Sara Duterte wearing handcuffs has been circulating on social media following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her in connection with a grave threats case.
No official photograph of Duterte in handcuffs has been released by the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the circulating image appears to have been digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI).
The altered photo appears to have been based on an original image from Duterte’s official Facebook page.
In the manipulated version, her wristwatch on her left hand was digitally replaced with handcuffs, while the original photo’s credit was cropped out.
The fake image emerged amid the arrest warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against Duterte in connection with three counts of alleged grave threats related to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The case stemmed from remarks Duterte made during an online press conference in which she allegedly threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
She claimed she had instructed a supposed hired killer to target the three if she were killed.
The court denied Duterte’s motion to defer or quash the charges and found probable cause for the case to proceed to trial. Bail was set at ₱120,000 for each of the three counts, or ₱360,000 in total.
The Department of Justice filed the charges in August after prosecutors found sufficient evidence to indict Duterte.
DOJ spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said the department remains committed to upholding the rule of law as the case moves forward.
Duterte’s defense team had argued that her status as an impeachable official should shield her from criminal prosecution while in office.
Her lead counsel, Paul Lawrence Lim, confirmed receipt of the arrest warrant and said Duterte would not evade the law while pursuing available legal remedies.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Duterte’s camp plans to post bail as soon as possible, noting that grave threats is a bailable offense under Philippine law.
Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the circulating handcuff image, which underscores the need to verify photos and information shared online.