MANILA, Philippines — Honeylet Avanceña, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife, has been barred from visiting him inside the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention in The Hague.

In an interview posted on pro-Duterte vlogger Maharlika’s Boldyak TV YouTube page on Friday, Avanceña said the restriction was because she allegedly discussed the case with Duterte over a phone call on July 19.

Duterte’s chief legal counsel Nicholas Kaufman also confirmed the news in an interview posted on vlogger Alvin & Tourism’s Facebook page.

Avanceña denied the allegations, although she hinted of a possible disagreement on defense strategy for the jailed ex-leader.

“I have nothing against you (Kaufman), but please do not deprive us of asking other people… of asking legal opinions from other lawyers also, but we acknowledge you as his lawyer. However, if our positions were reversed and you were inside (the prison), what would your spouse do then?” an emotional Avanceña said.

Kaufman, for his part, remained mum on the issue.

“For judicial reasons and out of respect for family privacy, I am not going to comment on the veracity of Honeylet Avanceña’s allegations concerning her presence not being desired at the ICC detention center,” Kaufman said.

Former presidential spokesman and wanted fugitive Harry Roque has said that Avanceña’s last visit to Duterte was on July 23.

Meanwhile, Kaufman described Avanceña as “emotionally distressed” over her allegations against...

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