President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte was in compliance to Philippine's commitment to Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) and not in any way violation of the country's sovereignty.

As he announced the departure of the plane that transport Duterte to The Hague on Tuesday night, Marcos explained that the Philippine government remains "consistent" and it did not in any way help in the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the former president.

"We (have) contact with them, (that's) natural. But no, not on official level. We didn't help them in any way," he said.

"The arrest that we did today was in compliance with our commitments to Interpol. It just so happened that that came from ICC. But it's not because it came from ICC, it's because it came from Interpol," he added.

Marcos said the Philippine government is obliged to comply to the request of the Interpol who asked for its help to arrest Duterte.

"Interpol asked for help and we obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol which we have to fulfill. If we don’t do that, they will not, they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad. This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations," he said.

Amid the illegal detention allegation of Duterte by his daughter, Veronica, who was with him since his flight from Hong Kong up to his arrest and custody at Villamor Airbase on Tuesday, Marcos assures that authorities "followed every single necessary" legal procedure during his arrest.

"Well, we followed every single necessary procedure, the very good basis on which to serve that warrant and to read him his rights. We followed all the legal procedures that are necessary. So, I’m confident that if in further examination, you will find that it is proper and correct," he said.

Marcos denied allegations that the arrest of Duterte is a political persecution related to the 2028 election.

"Okay, well, I'm sure they will say that. But this case started in 2017 when we were still members of the ICC and it was during the time of former president Duterte. So, I don't see how that can be political persecution on my part because it was initiated before I even came into the picture," said Marcos.

He said the chartered plane carrying Duterte took off and exited Philippine airspace at 11:03 pm on Tuesday.

Duterte was accompanied by his former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on his flight to Netherlands. The Philippine National Police said there were two police doctors who accompanied Duterte. Robina Asido/DMS