Manila, Sept. 24 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said the welfare check conducted on detained former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte was part of standard consular functions carried out by Philippine embassies and consulates worldwide.

In a statement sent to reporters, the agency said the welfare check is a duty practiced by all Philippine Embassies and Consulates and is "no different from what the DFA does for other Filipino citizens who are in detention abroad."

"Officials from the Philippine Embassy in the Hague visited former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Detention Center of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to conduct a welfare check," it said.

"This is in line with its functions under the Vienna C...