An elected leader once dubbed “The Punisher” is on his way to The Hague to face trial for crimes against humanity during a brutal war on drugs, in a breathtaking reversal of fortune for a politician who once openly boasted about killing people and placing opponents on hit lists.

A plane carrying former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court to face charges over his bloody "war on drugs" took off for Rotterdam, after being delayed by a few hours during a layover in Dubai.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was being flown to the Netherlands on Wednesday to face an International Criminal Court charge of crimes against humanity linked to the deadly crackdown on drugs he oversaw while in office.

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is being sent to The Hague. He is en route to the Netherlands, reportedly via Dubai, and expected to land in Rotterdam later today. In Metro Manila, candles were lit in remembrance of those killed in the drug war that Mr Duterte is now due to stand pre-trial for.

The International Criminal Court where detained former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is being taken after his arrest in the Philippines is a court of last resort for the most serious international offenses,

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and transported to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs. Duterte's legal team is challenging the move,

Philippine police arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Tuesday and sent him by plane to the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court,