Following his arrest for alleged crimes against humanity, former President Rodrigo Duterte assures the police and military that he will take full responsibility for his administration's war or drugs, in a video message posted in his social media account on early Thursday.

"To my countrymen, just to give you the current situation, I am about to land to The Hague from a stop over in Dubai. It's a long flight. I'm okay do not worry. I think it has something to do with the law and order in the past," Duterte said in a video taken before his plane landed in The Netherlands around 11:56 pm on Wednesday.

"Whatever happened in the past I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military, I said it already, I will protect you and I will be responsible for everything. This will be a long legal proceedings. But I say to you I will continue to serve my country and so be it if this is my destiny," he added.

In a video posted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) website, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said that the arrest of Duterte "is an important moment."

"This is a crucial step in our continuous work to ensure accountability for the victims of the most serious crimes under ICC jurisdiction. The Office is now commencing preparations towards the initial appearance and subsequent judicial proceedings before the Court," he said.

"It's important to underline as we now start a new stage of proceedings that Mr. Duterte is presumed innocent. He will make his initial appearance before the court. Soon, and the focus of the office is on the judicial proceedings on improving his case before the judges of the International Criminal Court," he added.

Upon his arrival in the Netherlands, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague rendered consular assistance to Duterte who arrived at the Rotterdam Airport on board chartered flight RP-C5219 at 4:56 pm (Central European time) or 11:56 pm (Philippine time).

Duterte's "custody was turned over by accompanying Philippine law enforcement authorities to officials of the Judicial Cooperation Unit of the Office of Registry of the International Criminal Court (ICC)."

"In view of the winter season in Europe, the Embassy prepared, procured and delivered winter clothing, change of clothes and care packages for the former President. Appropriate winter clothing, change of clothes, and care packages were also turned over to the accompanying delegation and the plane’s crew members at the airport," the Embassy stated.

It also noted that "upon the Embassy’s representation, The Netherlands’ immigration authorities granted those who escorted the former President, including the latter’s nurse and aide, two-day visas.

On the other hand former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was issued a 15-day visa as counsel of the former President and has been granted permission to visit Duterte at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague the following day.

The Embassy officials also "called the attention of the ICC officials and Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials on the need to closely attend to and monitor the medical and physical conditions" of Duterte.

"Thereupon, on arrival, an ICC nurse, who is part of the reception party, conferred with the former President’s personal nurse on the medical condition and requirements. The ICC nurse has relayed the information received to the ICC Medical Doctor for the conduct of medical check-up on the former President on arrival at the ICC Detention Center," it stated.

"Upon arrangement by the Embassy, the ICC officials handed over to the former President the names and contact numbers of Embassy officials who can be reached by mobile phone for any consular assistance that he may need," it added.

The Office of the Vice President also confirmed the arrival of Vice President Sara Duterte in Amsterdam at approximately 9:27 pm (Central European time on 12 March 2025.

"Upon her arrival, VP Duterte was met with assistance from the Dutch Foreign Ministry and the Dutch Royal Military Constabulary," the OVP said.

It noted that the vice president is scheduled to attend a series of meetings today on March 13, 2025, while waiting for the time to visit her father. Robina Asido/DMS