MISLEADING. A Facebook post shows former President Rodrigo Duterte with unusually long hair beside Kitty Duterte in a “Breaking News”-style graphic, implying it is a recent or real photo.
FACT. AI detection tools flagged the image as highly likely AI-generated, and there are no credible news reports or official posts showing Duterte with this altered appearance.
The “Breaking News”-style layout mimics legitimate media formatting, which can make the post appear authentic. However, no recognized Philippine news outlet has published this image as an authentic photo.
The image went viral, collecting around 2,100 reactions and 1,300 shares, demonstrating how quickly AI-generated visuals can circulate online and be mistaken for real content. The deepfake detection tool Undetectable AI flagged the image as only 9% real, indicating it is likely AI-generated.
Experts and fact-checkers have documented the increasing use of AI tools to generate synthetic images and manipulated media involving public figures, including Philippine political leaders. These visuals can look convincing but do not represent real events or genuine photos.
