Honeylet Avanceña, longtime partner of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has broken her silence on the emotional toll brought by Duterte’s controversial arrest and transfer to The Hague in the Netherlands.
In an interview with online personality Maharlika, Avanceña described the experience as deeply traumatic and difficult to comprehend. “Hanggang ngayon para sa akin parang bangungot. Hindi ako makapaniwala,” she said, referring to Duterte’s arrest carried out by the Philippine National Police on orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC had earlier issued a warrant over Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the bloody “Oplan Tokhang” campaign during his presidency.
Avanceña questioned how her husband was able to be brought abroad without proper travel documents. “Hindi ko akalain na kapag walang passport ang tao puwede palang dalhin (sa ibang bansa), pwede pa lang dukutin,” she lamented.
Since returning to Davao from Metro Manila, she admitted being unable to find peace at home. “Ever since na dumating ako galing from Metro Manila, hindi ako nakakatulog sa bahay namin. Nagpapalipat-lipat ako,” she said, revealing she even had to temporarily relocate her daughter to shield her from the emotional burden.
Asked if the family has come to terms with Duterte’s current situation, Avanceña responded with honesty and faith: “Reality na ‘yon e. Wala siya sa amin e. Ang pinanghahawakan na lang namin dasal na lang kami nang dasal. Saka promises ng Panginoon, ‘yun lang. ‘Yun lang naman talaga.”
Despite the pressure and distress, she remains anchored in her faith. “Alam ito na lang ang inaano ko, Maharlika, tao lang sila may Diyos kami. Sabi nga ni FPRRD, this is only temporary.”
The former president remains in detention in The Hague as proceedings move forward.
