An elected leader once dubbed “The Punisher” is on his way to The Hague to face trial for crimes against humanity during a brutal war on drugs, in a breathtaking reversal of fortune for a politician who once openly boasted about killing people and placing opponents on hit lists.

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.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A plane carrying arrested former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte left Manila Tuesday night for him to be turned over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague which has ordered his arrest for alleged crimes against humanity, President Ferdinand Marcos said.