Full Breakdown
Fact-Check: Laos-Seized Jet Is Not the Aircraft That Flew Duterte to The Hague
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Claim and Findings
Social-media posts circulated a video claiming that a private jet seized in Laos for drug smuggling was the same Learjet that carried former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court in The Hague in March 2025. Fact-checkers verified that the aircraft detained at Luang Prabang International Airport bears the tail number N73GP, a 1986 Gates Learjet 55B. Duterte’s flight in March 2025 used a Gulfstream G550 with tail number RP-C5219. Visual comparisons and registration records confirm the two planes are distinct.
Background: Duterte’s ICC Case and Ongoing Drug-War Scrutiny
Duterte attended a status conference at the ICC on October 13, ahead of a scheduled trial set for November 30. The prosecution has presented evidence linking his “war on drugs” to alleged crimes against humanity. The heightened international attention has made any association with illicit activities a focal point for misinformation.
Official Statements & Responses
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency spokesperson Joseph Frederick Calulut said on October 11 that Philippine authorities have not yet received full details from Malaysian officials regarding the seized jet’s cargo. He did not comment on the aircraft’s identity. No Lao or Malaysian officials linked the seized Learjet to Duterte’s travel.
Data & Statistics
- Cargo: 521 kg of suspected methamphetamine, valued at roughly P3.1 million, was found on the seized jet.
- Crew and Passengers: The flight carried a Singaporean pilot, a Malaysian co-pilot, and one Filipino passenger who reportedly booked the aircraft for “vape products.”
- Social-Media Reach: The false video posted by the Facebook page Mark & Beyond 2.0 (created earlier this month) amassed about 100,000 views, 2,700 reactions, 471 comments, and 1,000 shares before being flagged.
The claim that the Laos-seized jet is the same aircraft that transported Duterte to The Hague is unsupported by registration data and official statements.