Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on order of the International Criminal Court in connection with a case of crime against humanity filed against him, the Philippine government said.

I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything," Duterte said. His remarks were his first since being put on a plane to The Hague. Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC on Wednesday following his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to his "war on drugs" in which thousands of purported dealers and users were killed.