By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

President Rodrigo Duterte’s “estranged” niece has been flagged down by authorities in Davao City for using a commemorative plate bearing the image of his uncle.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 12 Assistant Director Neil Cañeda told ABS-CBN Davao that Nuelle Duterte was caught during the Friday’s “one-time big-time” nationwide crackdown against traffic violators after they noticed that the vehicle she was driving uses a Duterte commemorative plate instead of a government-issued one.

Aside from using unauthorized plate, Duterte was also allegedly using an invalid US-issued driver’s license when she was apprehended by LTO personnel.

A foreign-issued driver’s license can be only used locally for about three months or 90 days.

Cañedo said that based on Duterte’s passport, the New York-based Presidential niece arrived in the country last August 14 and have already maxed out her 90-day privilege.

Nuelle is the daughter of Emmanuel “Blueboy” Duterte, the President’s younger brother.

Despite being a Duterte, Nuelle is fierce critic of his uncle and his administration.

The younger Duterte is a staunch supporter of the political opposition, particularly defeated senatorial candidate Chel Diokno and detained Sen. Leila de Lima.

She is also a fan of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa which described in her Twitter post as an “amazing woman.”