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Former President Rodrigo Duterte stress that he would face the warrant of arrest to be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against his war on drug campaign directly as a lawyer and no plans of evading it by hiding.

Duterte also maintained that he regrets nothing of what he did when he was President.

The former president also denied his trip to Hong Kong over the weekend was planned to evade the arrest warrant. Saying I’m expected to return to the Philippines today.

“Susmaryosep. Mas lalo akong mahuli dito (sa Hong Kong). I am here as a visitor. We do not enjoy any privileges here. Saka kung magtago ako, hindi ako magtago sa ibang lugar. Diyan ako sa Pilipinas. Diyan mo ako hindi makita,” Duterte said.

Last Sunday, Duterte said he heard reports that he already has a warrant of arrest from the ICC. He, however, maintained that he did what was necessary to keep the country safe during his administration.

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has refused to comment on the alleged arrest warrant against the former Philippine leader, who implemented the bloody war on drugs.

On the other hand, Malacañang and the Philippine National Police (PNP) has ensured readiness on any eventuality in relation to the warrant.

The ICC has been investigating Duterte and other top officials of his administration for crimes against humanity over the alleged systematic drug war deaths in police operations.

These deaths reached around 6,000 based on police records, but human rights groups contend that the deaths were as much as 30,000, including vigilante killings.