Former President Rodrigo Duterte said that he will stay in Hong Kong for a month following reports that an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him was issued on Saturday.

Duterte made the remark in a thanksgiving event for him with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Wan Chai on Sunday.

"I heard that I have an arrest warrant from ICC. They have been pursuing me for a long time. Whatever mistakes, I committed during my term (as President) I did it for the Filipinos to have a peaceful life", Duterte said.

The ICC is said to be filing a case against Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity during his war on drugs.

Duterte said he will accept the warrant of arrest against him.

''If that is my luck, I will accept that. We cannot do anything,'' he said.

Malacanang said it is ready to cooperate with the ICC if it asks assistance from the government. The Philippines is not a member of the ICC.

"No confirmation of issuance of warrant of arrest from the Palace. But as what ES (Executive Secretary) Bersamin and SOJ (Secretary of Justice) said before, if Interpol will ask the necessary assistance from the government, it is obliged to follow", Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a statement on Sunday.

Kristina Conti, assistant to Counsel of ICC and human rights lawyer Neri Colminares said that there is no confirmation regarding the issuance of an arrest warrant. Marie Nicole Manalili/DMS