The International Criminal Court has had former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrested on a warrant containing charges of murder as a crime against humanity over deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office.

The former president’s arrest represents a significant victory for the International Criminal Court. However, questions of jurisdiction remain a challenge

By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE - Following a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Philippines arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte due to an investigation into thousands of killings in a violent crackdown on drugs that was the hallmark of his rule.

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

The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, appeared before judges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday, days after his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to the deadly “war on drugs” that he oversaw while in office.

The arrest of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has given a timely boost to the International Criminal Court, which is facing U.S. sanctions and an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by its chief prosecutor.