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.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan hailed the arrest of ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as proof that international law is not as weak as critics claim. Duterte, accused of crimes against humanity for his brutal drug war,

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was "abducted" before being taken to The Hague to face murder allegations and is too ill to give evidence, his lawyer told International Criminal Court judges at his initial appearance on Friday.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not appear in the courtroom for his initial hearing at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday. Duterte would follow the proceedings through a video link,

Harry Roque, also a lawyer seeking to represent him in the ICC case, said the question of jurisdiction over the Philippines, which withdrew from the global court when Duterte was president, should be addressed before any further proceedings.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared on a remote video link on Friday (March 14) for his initial hearing at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he faces murder allegations stemming from his "war on drugs.