Rights groups say tens of thousands of unarmed suspects were murdered in extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s war on drugs.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been put on a plane to The Hague following his arrest on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, his daughter and local outlet The Philippine Star have reported.

The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged crimes against humanity carried out by the former president as part of his deadly war on drugs.

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte said in Hong Kong that he was ready for possible arrest amid reports the International Criminal Court (ICC) was about to issue a warrant over his years-long “war on drugs” that killed thousands.

Duterte again came under the spotlight during a weekend trip to Hong Kong when the trip sparked speculation that he may have gone into exile to evade arrest. He had appeared as the main speaker on Sunday at a gathering of thousands of cheering and flag-waving Filipino expatriates, who jammed Southorn Stadium in downtown Wan Chai district.

A plane carrying the former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has left Manila after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over his deadly "war on drugs".

Members of the Philippine National Police met the former president as he arrived in Manila, the capital, on a flight from Hong Kong, the office said.

Police took Rodrigo Duterte into custody on orders of the ICC, which has been investigating the massive killings that happened under the former president’s deadly crackdown against illegal drugs.

Philippine police have arrested former president Rodrigo Duterte after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over his deadly "war on drugs". The 79-year-old was taken into police custody shortly after his arrival at Manila airport from Hong Kong on Tuesday.