Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday, where he is set face the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his controversial war 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." 

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said the fact that the arrest warrant had been carried out was "important to victims."

"Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasize, international law is not as weak as some may think," he added.

Duterte says he is 'responsible'

Duterte was arrested near the Philippine capital, Manila, on Tuesday. He then boarded a plane to the Netherlands.

"I am the one who led our law enforcement and military. I said that I will protect you and I will be responsible for all of this," Duterte said in a video shared on social media as his plane was about to land.

"I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job and I am responsible."

He added: "This will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you I will continue to serve the country and so be it."

Duterte was taken to a detention center on the Dutch coast ahead of an initial court appearance in The Hague that is likely to be scheduled in the coming days.

The 79-year-old former president could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He said he would fight the charges.

Victims welcome Duterte's arrest

News agency Reuters said the arrest warrant cited at least 43 people who were killed during Duterte's war on drugs.

Overall, estimates of the death toll during Duterte's presidential term vary from the official police figure of around 6,000 up to 30,000 claimed by human rights groups.

Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing victims of the drug war, welcomed the news of Duterte's arrival in the Netherlands.

"The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte is a great signal for international criminal justice," he told the AFP news agency from outside the court.

"It means that no one is above the law ... There will be a day of justice for everyone ... even powerful men such as Rodrigo Duterte."

Rights group Amnesty International also hailed the the news.

"This is a monumental and long-overdue step for justice for thousands of victims and their families," said Amnesty's Jerrie Abella.

"It is therefore a hopeful sign for them, as well, in the Philippines and beyond, as it shows that suspected perpetrators of the worst crimes, including government leaders, will face justice wherever they are in the world," she added.

But a handful of pro-Duterte protesters also gathered outside the ICC, chanting: "We are with Duterte."

Some of them reject the jurisdiction of the ICC, which then-president Duterte withdrew the Philippines from in 2019 during the initial stages of the investigation.

The ICC said it will look at alleged crimes committed before this, when the Philippines was still a full member of the court.

Edited by: Natalie Muller