On Friday afternoon, Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared for the first time before judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), after his sensational extradition to The Hague earlier in the week.

The denial by the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) of the motion made by Salvador Medialdea to defer Friday’s hearing and the passive reaction of the judges to his claims that former President Rodrigo Duterte was renditioned to The Hague indicated that the tribunal avoids politicizing the case.

The probe has been initiated by Imee Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand Marcos. The Philippine Senate said on Monday that it will carry out a formal probe after ex-President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and handed over last week to the International Criminal Court,

Duterte, 79, appeared at the hearing via videolink, with Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc citing his prior “long journey."

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 is seen on a screen in the courtroom of the International Criminal Court (ICC) with his lawyer Salvador Medialdea seated left, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday,