MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday admitted that he once harbored Senator Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan, who became a fugitive under two administrations.

Speaking at the launch of a humanitarian vessel of the Philippine Red Cross, Duterte admitted that he once helped Honasan evade authorities.

“During the days of crisis or the days of living dangerously, I and Gringo, I call him Gringo, I’d like to call him Gringo now. He was wanted by the government but he was in Davao with me,” Duterte said.

“We were having a great time traveling down the streets of Davao, eating durian on the sidewalk, and my God, nobody recognized Senator Honasan, and I said, that’s how good our Armed Forces are or is.”

Honasan went into hiding during the Corazon Aquino administration for his role in some failed coup attempts.

He also went underground during the time of President Gloria Arroyo after he was accused of being behind the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny.

Incidentally, Arroyo was also at the event, held at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Pasay City.