Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang on Friday reminded Honeylet Avanceña, partner of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that killings and kidnappings should not be treated lightly or made into a joke.
In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro expressed her disbelief over Avanceña’s remarks, which she said appeared to make light of recent violence.“Kaya kay Ms. Honeylet Avanceña, huwag ninyo pong gawin na issue dahil may buhay po ditong nakasalalay, may mga buhay na nawala. Huwag ninyong gawing issue ito at gawin ninyong katatawanan ang gobyerno,” said Castro.[Translation: To Ms. Honeylet Avanceña, please do not turn this into an issue or make it a joke. Lives are at stake here, and lives have already been lost. Don’t turn this into an opportunity to ridicule the government] Castro said the government is working to address the kidnapping and killing of businessman Anson Que, whose case has sparked public concern.“Hindi natin malaman bakit ganoon ang naging attitude ni Ms. Honeylet. Parang ikinatutuwa pa ba niya na may mga ganitong sitwasyon sa bansa,” she said.[Translation: We can’t understand why Ms. Honeylet would have that kind of attitude. It’s as if she’s taking pleasure in the fact that these situations are happening in the country] She added that the administration is determined to bring those responsible to justice.“Kaya muli, pinapanawagan po natin kay Ms. Honeylet Avanceña, huwag na po sana mamutawi sa inyong bibig ang mga ganitong klaseng pananalita dahil hindi po rin natin gugustuhing i-congratulate ang dating Pangulong Duterte sa mga nagawa pong EJK dahil po buhay po ang pinag-uusapan dito,” Castro said.[Translation: So once again, we appeal to Ms. Honeylet Avanceña – please refrain from making such remarks. We wouldn’t want to congratulate former President Duterte either for the extrajudicial killings that happened, because we are talking about human lives here.] Avanceña earlier made a controversial remark during an ambush interview at The Hague, Netherlands, shortly after the International Criminal Court proceedings on the Duterte administration’s drug war. The former president is in detention to face charges of crimes against humanity for murder.“Congratulations sa Pilipinas, may kinidnap at pinatay nanaman. Congratulations. Ganyan ang gusto niyo… Congratulations again,” she said.
