Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said a plane carrying former President Rodrigo Duterte has left the country for The Hague to allow the ex-leader to face charges of crimes against humanity committed during his deadly drug war.

The 79-year-old’s arrest on a warrant issued by the global court was hailed as a major breakthrough and step toward ending impunity by human rights groups and families of victims.

A plane taking former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court over murder charges was headed for Rotterdam on Wednesday in a move hailed by families of victims of his "war on drugs" as giving them hope for justice.