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.

The prosecution should provide the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte a copy of all the evidence against him, in preparation for his trial, one of the five Filipino lawyers accredited by the International Criminal Court (ICC) said yesterday.