An unannounced trip by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to Hong Kong has set off speculations that he may be trying to evade a possible arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court over his bloody crackdown on drugs.

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

Former President Rodrigo Duterte was taken into custody on Tuesday after the Philippine government said it received an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest for alleged crimes against humanity.

Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday on an Interpol arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court amid accusations that he committed crimes against humanity during his war on drugs.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong amid heightened police presence and speculation of an arrest.

If this is really my fate in life, that’s okay, I will accept it. There’s nothing we can do.” So said former President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday when he addressed a crowd of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Hong Kong.

The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged crimes against humanity carried out by the former president as part of his deadly war on drugs.

Footage from former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter shows him questioning his arrest while being held in Villamor Airbase in Manila on March 11.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attends the House Quad Committee hearing investigating his administration's war on drugs, at the House of Representatives, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines,