Philippine officials on Thursday defended before the country's Senate the arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court of former President Rodrigo Duterte, as they faced allegations he was illegally abducted at the behest of a foreign institution.

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

Philippine officials defended Duterte’s ICC arrest before the Senate amid claims of an unlawful transfer. His supporters challenge the move in court, arguing the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines after its withdrawal.