FORMER cabinet members of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte are not in favor of Mindanao’s separation from the Philippine Republic.
National Security Adviser Sec. Eduardo Año and peace process Sec. Carlito Galvez strongly disagree with the proposed separation of Mindanao from the Philippines.
However, the former president’s spokesperson criticized the former cabinet members of Rodrigo Duterte, accusing them of overreacting and appeasing the current administration.
The Philippine government said it is ready to use authority and forces to quell any attempts to dismember the republic.
“Authority and forces to quell and stop any and all attempts to dismember the republic,” according to Sec. Eduardo Año, National Security Adviser.
This is the response of Sec. Año to the statements made by former President Duterte, who suggested the separation of Mindanao from the Philippine Republic.
According to Sec. Año, a former member of the Duterte administration, the government is committed to ensuring the sovereignty and integrity of the national territory.
“Any attempt to secede any part of the Philippines will be met by the government with resolute force, as it remains steadfast in securing the sovereignty and integrity of the national territory,” Año added.
He also emphasized that any call for the division of the country undermines collective progress and prosperity, stressing the importance of unity.
“We emphasized that calls for division of our country only serve to undermine our collective progress and prosperity. The strength of our country lies in our unity and any attempt to sow division must be rejected by all sectors unequivocally,” Año said.
Sec. Carlito Galvez, also a former cabinet member of the Duterte administration, asserts that any push for Mindanao secession would set the country.
He also stressed the need to learn from past mistakes.
“We cannot go back to square one. We must learn our lessons from the past and apply these to all aspects of our life as peace-loving citizens. Let us always choose peace and remain united, as it is the only way to move forward as one people and one nation,” according to Sec. Carlito Galvez, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.
Meanwhile, another former cabinet member of the Duterte administration, then-Chief Presidential Legal Council Atty. Salvador Panelo, reacted to these statements in his program on SMNI.
Atty. Panelo on negative reactions on Mindanao secession: You’re overreacting
Panelo also said that government officials who promised to crush any secessionist movements in the island of Mindanao are overreacting.
“This is what I can tell those who are speaking out: You’re being overly dramatic, excessively so. What are you planning to crush? What secession are you referring to? The idea of secession put forward by the former president is merely a suggestion. Do you comprehend the concept of an idea? It’s a proposal, not a criminal act. It doesn’t amount to sedition,” according to Atty. Salvador Panelo, Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.
He also questioned the response of Sec. Año and Sec. Galvez, wondering if their statements reflect the position of former President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
“You’re all being too dramatic, it’s quite annoying. The term I’ll use is ‘annoying’ because these individuals speaking are former cabinet members of [former] President Duterte. They should take the time to understand their principle. They are very familiar with this person. You’re all trying too hard to suck up to Malacañang, and that’s not good. What you’re doing is also tarnishing the reputation of the president, even though he hasn’t made any statements. It’s just an idea, nothing more,” Panelo added.
Camiguin governor, solon disapproves Mindanao secession
Meanwhile, the Romualdo family of Camiguin issued a warning on the issue of Mindanao secession.
In a statement, Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo questioned the proposed separation of Mindanao from the Republic of the Philippines.
The younger Romualdo suggested that former President Duterte and Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez should address the concerns about the state of Mindanao during their leadership.
He also questioned what the Duterte administration had been doing when they were still at the helm of the country.
“I served three terms in Congress. Two of those terms were during the Duterte presidency. And I served under five speakers, including former Speaker Alvarez. Of the five, Alvarez was the most forceful and powerful. Of course, everyone knows how powerful former President Duterte was during his term. Both are from Mindanao. They should thus answer for their complaints about the state of Mindanao. If things are as bad as they say, why is it that way when you ruled the country for six years? What were you doing when you were at the helm?” according to Gov. Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo, Province of Camiguin.
Atty. Panelo answered Romualdo’s statement in his program.
“Well, didn’t I say that because he’s too considerate, and that he prioritized other places? Indeed, his son arranged a meeting about the airport, and he said, ‘let’s not push through. We might get criticized. Let’s focus on other matters.’ that’s a real president. But the truth is, the past presidents really didn’t prioritize Mindanao. Of course, the current president has done some things, but it’s not a hundred percent,” Panelo added.
Camiguin Lone District Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo expressed dismay, saying that the Mindanao secession appears to disregard the sacrifices made by many in Mindanao to achieve peace.
He perceives this move an act of ‘self-preservation’.
“It took many decades and countless lives lost before Mindanao experienced relative peace. Now that it’s on the road to prosperity, it’s frustrating that people like Duterte and Alvarez are willing to throw all that sacrifice in the name of self-preservation,” according to Cong. Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo, Lone District, Camiguin.
But Panelo disagrees with his words.
“No. You are the ones practicing self-preservation, those who are opposing [Mindanao independence] because you are benefiting from the current system. That’s the reality. You don’t want it because you will be affected,” Panelo said.
Camiguin governor, solon consider Mindanao secession as seditious move
The Romualdos believe that the statements of former President Duterte and Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez on the advocacy of Mindanao secession could be considered sedition.
Because of this, Cong. Romualdo encouraged the House of Representatives to investigate the matter for prosecution and the removal of Rep. Alvarez regarding his push for Mindanao secession.
At the same time, Panelo offered advice to those suggesting that Duterte and Alvarez can be charged with sedition.
“Read article 139 of the revised penal code. The crime of sedition is committed by persons who rise publicly and tumultuously to attain, by force, intimidation, or other means outside of legal methods, actions that should not be done. For example, not implementing the laws of our country. You can question [former] President Duterte’s suggestion, but do not attack the idea,” Panelo stated.
Congressman Alvarez, on the other hand, stated that he is ready to face any consequences arising from his advocacy.
“I’m ready to face the consequences of my actions and will take full responsibility as well,” according to Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez, First District, Davao del Norte.
Atty. Panelo on Mindanao secession: Sovereignty resides in the Filipino people
Meanwhile, Panelo has something to say those who disagree with the issue of Mindanao separation from the Republic of the Philippines.
“Well, if the entire Mindanao wishes to secede peacefully, and that is their desire, there is nothing we can do about it. Sovereignty, I repeatedly say, resides in the Filipino nation. If the Filipino people in that region no longer want it because they have problems not addressed by the national government, we can’t do anything about it,” Panelo said.
Former President Duterte earlier emphasized that his statement about Mindanao separation does not constitute a rebellion.
If ever, he would like it to happen peacefully, similar to Singapore’s separation from Malaysia.
Singapore has since become a first-world country, while Malaysia is a developing nation.
Is the separation from the Republic of the Philippines the key for the people of Mindanao to achieve the long-awaited progress?
This lies in the hands of those advocating for it and whether they receive support from the people of Mindanao.
