The Philippine National Police (PNP) plans to file direct assault charges against Honeylet Avanceña, the common-law wife of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
This decision comes after Avanceña allegedly assaulted a female Special Action Force (SAF) member at Villamor Air Base during the former president’s arrest by Interpol.
According to PNP spokesperson P/Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, Avanceña allegedly hit the SAF personnel on the head with a cellphone.
Photos released by the PNP show that the SAF personnel suffered a large lump on the head following the alleged attack by the ex-president’s partner.
Additionally, the PNP is considering filing obstruction of justice charges against former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for allegedly preventing authorities from arresting Duterte.
Fajardo stated that the PNP did not use excessive force when arresting the former president, who was taken into custody based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
Neither the Duterte family nor Medialdea has issued a statement on the matter.
(PNP PIO photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.