Philippine Ex-president Duterte Appears By Video Link Before International Court Judges

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared Friday by videoconference before judges at the International Criminal Court, days after his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to the deadly “ war on drugs ” he oversaw while in office.

The 79-year-old Duterte didn’t show up at the court in The Hague, but appeared briefly on a video screen from the detention center nearby where he is being held.

Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc explained that Duterte had been allowed to participate in his first ICC hearing by videoconference because he had just come off a long flight. Duterte, wearing a jacket and tie, spoke briefly to confirm his name and date of birth.

Duterte, was to be read his rights and formally informed of the charges of crimes against humanity that the court’s prosecutors filed against him after a lengthy investigation. His supporters contest the arrest and say the court doesn’t have jurisdiction.

Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reported and up to 30,000, according to numbers from human rights groups.