Honeylet Avanceña, the long-time partner of Rodrigo Duterte, said the former president was composed and optimistic when she and their daughter, Kitty, visited him in The Hague on 29 March, the day after his 80th birthday.

In an interview, Avanceña said she and Kitty hugged the former president and sang “Happy Birthday” to him.

“He reminded us that there will always be a day of reckoning,” she said, quoting a Bible verse Duterte cited during their conversation — Psalm 91:18 — “I will let you see with your own eyes the destruction and punishment of the wicked.”

On their third day in The Hague, Avanceña and Kitty were finally able to visit Duterte who is being held by the International Criminal Court.

The two arrived in The Hague on 26 March but were initially denied entry into the detention facility.

Avanceña shared her struggle to bring Duterte’s needs to him, revealing that she attempted to bring four suitcases filled with clothes and other essentials for him but these were not permitted inside the facility.

Additionally, she contacted the Philippine Red Cross in Davao to find a nurse for Duterte, but her effort yielded no results.

She also clarified that the Duterte family is not seeking financial assistance, addressing concerns about individuals claiming to solicit funds in their name.

“Our family does not ask for financial assistance. Birthday greetings and cards are fine, but nothing beyond that,” she emphasized.

Avanceña and Kitty are expected to return to the Philippines soon, as Avanceña needs to attend to her business commitments and Kitty has to resume her studies.