EJK Victims’ Families Are Targeted in Manipulated Photo Amid ICC Hearing
It spread across multiple pro-Duterte pages before it was removed.
Published on Feb 27, 2026
(SPOT.ph) If you’ve seen that viral photo of relatives of extrajudicial killing victims supposedly flaunting luxury handbags in The Hague, here’s the short version: it’s fake.
A manipulated image has been circulating online showing three women who are relatives of victims of the drug war killing appearing to carry what look like high-end designer bags during a press conference. Some posts even included captions pointing out supposed brand names with prices, suggesting the families were not as vulnerable as often portrayed.
The altered version was first posted on Facebook by a user named Cathy Binag on February 25. It received over 120,000 reactions and 26,000 shares before the post was taken down from the platform.
This photo of them was taken by Angela Lagunzad-Castro, anchor of One News.
It was taken a day before former President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC), when families and supporters of victims held a press conference in The Hague. Among those present were Rubilyn Litan of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, Lore Pasco, and Sheerah Escudero—all of whom lost relatives in the alleged drug war killings. In the original photo, there were no designer bags in sight.
Fake news surrounding relatives of EJK victims
Fact-checking organizations VERA Files and AFP Fact Check, as well as One News, have since confirmed that the image was digitally manipulated. However, it had already begun spreading across multiple Facebook pages supportive of Duterte, gaining significant engagement before it was flagged as misleading.
"At that particular time, I didn't see any expensive bags, and they didn't have any bags when I took their picture," Castro told News5. "For the entire duration that we were inside that room, I didn't see a single luxury bag."
As always, a quick reverse image search—or checking the original source—goes a long way.
The incident unfolded as Duterte faced a confirmation of charges hearing before the ICC from February 23 to 27, 2026, over allegations of crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s war on drugs from 2016 to 2022. The confirmation stage is a pre-trial process where ICC judges assess whether there are substantial grounds to move the case to a full trial.
Duterte did not attend the hearings. The court allowed him to waive his physical appearance after his defense cited health concerns, permitting proceedings to continue with his legal team representing him.
Also read: Duterte Is Arrested on ICC Warrant. What Happens Next?
Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself on a pole or doting on her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.