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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Honeylet appeals for ICC consideration as Duterte supporters hold prayer vigil

Honeylet appeals for ICC consideration as Duterte supporters hold prayer vigil

Published Apr 15, 2025 06:13 am

Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, has appealed for consideration for the detained 80-year-old former chief executive, who is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands.

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Supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte hold a prayer vigil outside the ICC building in The Hague, Netherlands, to mark his first month in detention. (Photo from Alvin & Tourism via Facebook)

In a gathering of Duterte’s supporters to mark 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 campaign.

“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 (We’re uplifting his spirits. I said let’s pray, let’s just pray. His faith in the Lord is still [strong]. He said whatever the Lord’s will is,” 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 (Have compassion. Be compassionate. You don’t have to respect him, just have compassion. Anyway, he served [the country], right)?,” she added.

Also in the gathering were former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Duterte’s counsel, Martin Delgra.

In his speech before supporters who held a candle-lighting and prayer vigil for the former president, Roque compared Duterte to the Marcos family, whose 20-year reign was overthrown in a bloodless revolution before their exile to Hawaii.

“Minsan nang napalayas ang mga Marcos sa Inang Bayan natin, ngayon ang ginanti nila pinalayas din nila ang ating pinakamamahal na Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Our country once overthrew the Marcos family, so their revenge is to kick out our beloved Rodrigo Roa Duterte [from the country]),” he said.

“Ang pagkakaiba nang pinalayas sila sa Pilipinas, kinasuklaman sila, sinusuka sila. Samantalang si Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte hanggang ngayon ay iniiyakan nang marami dahil narito ngayon sa isang dayuhang lugar, hinuhusgahan ng mga dayuhan, na alam natin na pinaka-ayaw na mangyari ng ating mahal na Presidente (The difference is when they were kicked out, they were hated, detested. But for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, people are still crying because he’s now here in a foreign land, being judged by foreigners, that we know our beloved President never wants to happen),” he added.

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.

Related Tags

International Criminal Court The Hague crimes against humanity Rodrigo Duterte
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