Honeylet, Kitty fail to see Duterte in The Hague

MANILA, Philippines — On the eve of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday, his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña and their daughter Veronica arrived in The Hague yesterday to pay him a visit in his cell, but were turned away.

Avanceña and Veronica, nicknamed Kitty, arrived at 12 p.m. (The Hague time) and left at 1:55 p.m. after they were not allowed to enter the Scheveningen Prison, the detention center of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where the former president is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.

The two ignored reporters waiting outside the prison complex, but gave an interview to one from the SMNI News owned by detained suspected child abuser and human trafficker Apollo Quiboloy.

“To all the Filipino communities around Europe, around the world, thank you very much for the support for me and my family… We are grateful to you. We hope you will not stop until former president Duterte will be able to return home,” Kitty said in the interview.

She also wished her father “good health” on his 80th birthday today. “Hopefully he eats the food inside (the ICC detention center) and he will be more obedient,” Kitty said.

Barred from entering the detention facility, Honeylet and Kitty mingled with overseas Filipino workers and Duterte supporters waiting outside the Scheveningen Prison.

Vice President Sara Duterte, who is also in The Hague, said it was agreed upon by the family that the former president would spend his 80th birthday with Honeylet and Kitty.

She explained that Honeylet’s time is limited because she needs to attend to her businesses while Veronica can’t be absent for long from her classes in the Philippines. “Their time’s limited so all the time that they can have, they have been given,” the Vice President said.

“I gave all the schedules to (Honeylet) and Veronica. We already talked about it and we all agreed to give all the time to them while they are here as they have limited time as compared to us,” the Vice President pointed out.

She added the former president is only allowed two visits per day, one from a lawyer and one from a family member. “I don’t have any scheduled visits with him this Friday,” she added.

She also said that while she and her siblings were in good terms, it was a different case for Honeylet and the former president’s legal wife Elizabeth Zimmerman.

“We don’t have any problems. We, siblings, have no problems. Things may be different for our mothers, but for us siblings… you should see our group chat. It’s funny,” the Vice President added, without giving details.

She said her mother is scheduled to arrive in The Hague on March 28 or March 29. The former president is expected to appear before the tribunal on Sept. 23 for the confirmation of charges against him for crimes against humanity.

Meanwhile, at least 2,337 police officers would be deployed for security and public safety in some urban centers particularly in Davao City anticipation of rallies and other mass actions today by supporters of the former president.

The Philippine National Police has estimated that a crowd of over 122,000 will flock to different venues in Davao region, the bailiwick of the former president.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the Police Regional Office 11, which has jurisdiction over Davao, has finalized plans to ensure peace and order during the rallies which Duterte’s supporters dubbed as a global tribute to the former president.

Based on the information they received, Fajardo said supporters of the former chief executive will hold prayer rallies in the cities of Taguig, Digos, Davao and other areas. Fajardo said police commanders are coordinating with concerned local government units.