Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, has appealed for compassion for the detained 80-year-old former chief executive, who is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands.
She made the appeal during a gathering of Duterte’s supporters marking his first month in custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he is under trial for charges of crimes against humanity of murder in connection to his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
“Pinapalakas na namin ang loob niya. Sabi ko pray lang tayo, pray lang tayo. Maano pa rin ang pananampalataya niya sa Diyos. Sabi niya kung ano daw ang will ng Panginoon sa kanya,” Avanceña shared while teary-eyed.
“Maawa na lang. Awa na lang. Huwag nyo na lang respetuhin, awa na lang. Tutal nag serbisyo naman ‘yan di ba?,” she added.
Also in the gathering were former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Duterte’s counsel, Martin Delgra.
Supporters also performed some songs, including Celine Dion’s “Immortality.”
Duterte has been in ICC custody since March 11, when he was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Aiport (NAIA) Terminal 3 upon his return from Hong Kong.
He was sent to The Hague via chartered flight together with Medialdea. He spent his 80th birthday in detention, while his supporters held a birthday picnic outside the ICC facility.
The former president will face the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I on Sept. 23 for the confirmation of charges. (Raymund Antonio)
