Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, is also in hot water even if their 20-year-old daughter Veronica, nicknamed ‘Kitty,’ is being given more leeway on account of her age.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday it would file a criminal charge of direct assault against Avanceña, for hurting a police officer during Duterte’s tension-filled arrest at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday.
In a video released by the PNP, Avanceña was seen hitting one of the police officers with her mobile phone.
The police officers were trying to keep the situation under control as she and her daughter Veronica were resisting the authorities from arresting Duterte.
“Huwag mong hawakan ‘yan! (Do not touch her (Kitty),” Avanceña was heard saying in the video before hitting a policewoman. “Ibalik niyo ang anak ko… Amin na! (Give me back my daughter),” she added.
Based on the footage, the police officers appeared to be calmly restraining a distraught Veronica and a furious Honeylet as negotiations continued.
Also seen in the video were PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Nicolas Torre III and Central Luzon Director Brigadier Gen. Jean Fajardo.
Torre acted as ground commander in assisting the Interpol, which served the warrant against the former president.
In an interview with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, Fajardo explained that police officers were subjected to harassment by the mother and daughter, who cursed at them.
“In spite of that, no one harmed them. None of our police officers tried to hurt them and we tolerated their harsh words and actions against us,” Fajardo said.
She explained they had to separate Honeylet and Veronica from Duterte, so the police can proceed with serving him the arrest warrant because they were stalling the process.
Torre confirmed he was pushed by Honeylet and acknowledged he was cursed at by Veronica as shown in the now viral video, featuring him explaining the situation to former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Still, the police general said he is willing to let Veronica’s foul language pass.
“That’s alright. I’ve seen worse. That’s why my skin has grown thick… I’m used to getting cussed out,” he said in Filipino.
In a video posted by Veronica on her Instagram on March 11, and which seemed to have been recorded, she was heard cursing Torre while he explained the flight arrangement of the former chief executive to irate members of his entourage.
“Let’s give her a pass. She is young. There’s a lot she will realize about the world when the time comes,” Torre added.
“President Duterte himself reminded me of my retirement and told me his children and relatives will come after me after my retirement. Even before my retirement he threatened me, but that’s okay. We can let it pass,” Torre also said during his interview in Malacañang.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “PNP-CIDG mulls raps vs Honeylet for assaulting cop”
