The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s arrest warrant against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sparked a firestorm of reactions, with supporters calling it a political attack and critics hailing it as a long-overdue step toward justice.

Given his previously untouchable status, the arrest and potential prosecution of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a surprising development.

Duterte, 79, appeared at the hearing via videolink, with Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc citing his prior “long journey."

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first appearance at the International Criminal Court in The Hague in the Netherlands on Friday, via videolink, as he faces allegations of crimes against humanity over his deadly war on drugs.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has junked former President Rodrigo Duterte’s plea to reschedule his first court appearance. Duterte’s legal counsel and former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea made this known in his manifestation during the pretrial on Friday night (Philippine time).

The Philippine Senate said on Monday it will conduct a formal probe of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and swift handover last week to the International Criminal Court, which is to try him for alleged crimes against humanity.

The Philippine Senate said Monday it will conduct a formal probe of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and swift handover last week to the International Criminal Court, which is to try him for alleged crimes against humanity.