Duterte surrendered to custody of ICC

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, it said, after issuing a warrant for his arrest over his deadly crackdown on drugs.

"Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte... was surrendered to the custody of the International Criminal Court," the ICC said in a statement.

"He was arrested by the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in accordance with an arrest warrant issued... for charges of murder as a crime against humanity," it added.

The plane bringing Duterte to the Netherlands landed at the Rotterdam The Hague airport. 4:54 p.m. (11:54 p.m. Philippine time).

Duterte is expected to be brought to The Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison.

In a post on Facebook before landing in the Netherlands, Duterte said he was "okay."

"I think this has something to do with law and order before. I tell the police and the military to work and I will answer for you. So this is it," Duterte said in a mix of English and Tagalog in a video he said was taken as he was "about to land."

He said the flight came from Dubai, where his party had a layover.

"Okay ako. Do not worry," Duterte said.

The video was posted on the Rody Duterte Facebook page.

Supporters have gathered in front of the International Criminal Court, with some coming from different cities in the Netherlands and even nearby countries. 

Elizabeth Prado, a Filipina living in Germany for 40 years, told GMA Integrated News that she came to The Hague to show her support for the former president.

“I wish the ICC to give him the right decision and bring him back to the Philippines,” Prado told GMA News

“For our kababayan who support his arrest, please stop blaming him,” she added. 

Duterte was arrested on Tuesday on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with the killings in his administration's war on drugs.

The plane taking him to The Hague left Manila on Tuesday night.

Duterte was accompanied on the flight by his former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, a nurse, and a personal assistant.

VP Sara

Vice President Sara Duterte will seek access to his father who is now in The Hague, Netherlands.

Sara left Manila Wednesday morning on a flight bound for Amsterdam.

In an advisory released by the Office of the Vice President, Sara said she would meet with lawyers and seek access to his father on March 13 once she has settled in The Hague.

She added she would be available for media interviews the following day.

“Maraming salamat din sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong nagpaabot ng mga mensahe, suporta, at panalangin para kay PRRD, sa akin, at sa aming buong pamilya na ngayon ay nahaharap sa matinding pagsubok sa pulitika,” Sara said. 

She also thanked the Filipinos in Dubai, U.A.E. who helped her and his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, as they traveled to the Netherlands.

“Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho sa Dubai International Airport at sa Al Maktoum International Airport na tumulong sa akin at kay PRRD,” she added.—With Andy Penafuerte/Jayvee Pangan/Agence France-Presse/NB/LDF, GMA Integrated News