An AI-generated photo showing a sculpture of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the Netherlands has circulated online following his proclamation as newly elected Davao City mayor, with some netizens mistaking it to be real.
The Facebook page Muslim Filipino, Ngayon, posted the image on May 15 with the caption:
ART made by Netherland People ❤️❤️❤️
#AI
The use of artificial intelligence was subtly indicated through the #AI hashtag, though the post itself did not clarify that the image was digitally generated, leading some commenters to thank people in the Netherlands for creating the sculpture.
The image itself contains visual inconsistencies, including distorted faces and hands, common indicators of AI manipulation.
A Google reverse image search shows that the buildings in the background closely resemble structures found in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, particularly along streets like Prinsengracht and Bloemgracht.
Meanwhile, three AI detection tools–Hive AI, Sightengine and WasItAI–each assessed the image as 99% likely or “very confident” to be AI-generated.
Duterte is detained in The Hague, the Netherlands, awaiting trial before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity resulting from his anti-drug campaign. His confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled to begin on Sept. 23.
While detained, his son, Davao City Vice Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte, will serve as acting mayor.
The AI-generated photo has garnered around 217,000 reactions, 22,000 comments and 9,900 shares as of press time.
Vera Files previously fact-checked an AI-generated Netherlands sculpture of Duterte after the midterm elections.
Although these digital busts are not real, they reflect the use of busts or art to glorify politicians, which has historical precedent.
In 1978, during martial law, a 99-foot bust of then president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was erected on the five-hectare property of the Ibaloi tribe in Benguet as part of the planned Marcos Park. The structure was destroyed after being bombed in 2002. (AC, MA)
This article originally appeared on FactRakers and served as the basis for the video fact-check above, produced by the UP Journalism Club in collaboration with Fyt Media, with support from International Media Support (IMS).
