Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, the long-time partner of former president Rodrigo Duterte, expressed her emotional distress over his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), emphasizing that Duterte did not deserve such treatment.
In an exclusive video aired Sunday on the SMNI News channel, led by arrested televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, Avanceña spoke about Duterte, who is currently detained at The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged crimes against humanity. She described him as a strong yet humble leader deeply committed to serving Filipinos.
“I know how serious he was about his sworn duty. He did everything for the Filipino people,” she said in a mix of Bisaya, Filipino, and English.
She also recalled how her 79-year-old partner chose to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing that despite his fatigue and "almost failing health," he still wanted to hold cabinet meetings, adding that he didn’t care if he caught COVID.
"He doesn't deserve this kind of treatment," she said tearfully, stressing that Duterte no longer wanted to work or run for politics, but it was the people who urged him to run due to his "liringin niya."
She also mentioned how Duterte maintained his down-to-earth nature despite his position of power during his administration.
“He remained humble even when he became president. You could see how he interacted with people. He was not materialistic,” Avanceña said.
She also condemned the ICC for detaining Duterte and taking him away from the Philippines, while admitting that the situation had taken a toll on her well-being.
“You have already imprisoned him, and yet you still took him away from the Philippines, where he was born… I can’t sleep. I can’t even stay in our own home,” she lamented.
Avanceña also made a heartfelt plea to Duterte’s supporters, urging them to continue praying — ironically, to the same God Duterte once called “stupid” — for his safe return to the country.
On 11 March, the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, in coordination with Interpol, led the serving of an arrest warrant to Duterte for his alleged crimes against humanity before the ICC, upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands, via a chartered plane paid for by the Office of the President.
Upon his arrival in The Hague, Duterte was taken to the ICC detention center. The former President made his first appearance before the ICC on 14 March, via video link.
As Duterte remains in ICC custody, his family and allies continue to call for his release, while his supporters rally against what they see as an unjust intervention in Philippine sovereignty.