Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appeared before judges at an International Criminal Court pretrial hearing via a video link. He is suspected of being responsible for multiple murders amounting to a crime against humanity during his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.



The session took place on Friday after Philippine authorities arrested Duterte in Manila on an ICC-issued warrant and sent him to the Netherlands earlier this week.



Duterte appeared on screen in a blue suit as he heard the allegations against him. When a judge asked his name, he said, "I am Rodrigo Roa Duterte."



The court says Duterte was allowed to participate in the hearing online because he had made a long journey involving a considerable time difference.



The next hearing will take place on September 23. The judges will hear arguments from the prosecution and defense. Duterte will face trial if it is determined there is sufficient evidence for the allegations.



The former president is suspected of allowing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines for more than seven years from November 2011 as he oversaw his "war on drugs" campaign.