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.

The ICC said it would pursue an investigation of suspected crimes against humanity related to Duterte's role in overseeing a bloody "war on drugs."

Lawyers for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, believed headed for The Hague to face the International Criminal Court

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.

Rights groups say tens of thousands of unarmed suspects were murdered in extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s war on drugs.

The former Philippine president is the first former leader from Asia to face charges at the International Criminal Court. Human rights groups say his violent crackdowns left up to 30,000 dead.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been turned over to the custody of the International Criminal Court

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.