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Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has, on Wednesday, said he will be withdrawing his country out of the treaty on which the International Criminal Court (ICC) was formed, after it began examining the country's deadly drugs war in February.

In a statement, Duterte said: "I therefore declare and forthwith give notice... that the Philippines is withdrawing its ratification of the Rome Statute effective immediately".

He attacked the ICC's preliminary examination into his anti-narcotics campaign saying it was "unduly and maliciously created" and condemned the "baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks his person as well my administration".

"It is apparent that the ICC is being utilised as a political tool against the Philippines," he said.

"The acts allegedly committed by me are neither genocide nor war crimes. The deaths occurring in the process of legitimate police operations lacked the intent to kill," he added.

The statement however contradicts his previous comments about the drugs war, including his willingness to "slaughter" drug addicts and dealers in order to stamp out the problem from the country. 

Police claim they have killed around 4,000 drugs suspects but rights groups suggest the figure could be far higher, up to around three times the number.

Less than four months into Duterte's reign, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in a statement in October 2016, said she was "deeply concerned" over reports of extra-judicial killings of over 3,000 alleged drug users and pushers.

Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque, in a response said the ICC lacked jurisdiction over the case, calling the ICC a "court of last resort" and the Philippine courts were fully functioning.

The ICC is the world's only permanent war crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling, which was opened in 2002. It relies on on local powers to arrest and bring suspects to the as it has no police force of its own.

Under previous President Benigno Aquino, the Philippines ratified in 2011 the Rome Statute which underpins the ICC, giving the tribunal authority to investigate crimes on its soil.

Local media reported on Monday, that the country's senate had filed a resolution saying the country's withdrawal from international treaties would only be valid with its consent.