MANILA — A group of supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte held a prayer vigil Thursday afternoon at the Supreme Court.

They lit candles and prayed in front of the logo of the court as the magistrates tackle four petitions asking for the invalidation of the arrest and transfer of the former President to the International Criminal Court.

“Ibalik ho natin at hayaan natin harapin ni Presidente Duterte kung ano man ang kanilang sinampa na kaso dito sa Pilipinas,” said Ali Dizon.

“Wala naman problema eh, huwag lang natin ipagbili ang ating kapwa Pilipino na parang kidnapping ang nangyari sorry, it's my own opinion,” Dizon added.

The 79-year-old Duterte faces a charge of "the crime against humanity of murder", according to the ICC, for a crackdown that rights groups estimate killed tens of thousands of mostly poor men, often without proof they were linked to drugs.

Duterte was arrested at Manila's international airport Tuesday after "Interpol Manila received the official copy of the warrant of the arrest from the ICC", the presidential palace said.

An ICC spokesman later confirmed the warrant and said an initial appearance hearing would be scheduled when Duterte was in court custody.