NSC: Philippines to stop all tries to dismember republic

The National Security Council (NSC) on Sunday said any secession bid will be met with 'resolute force' after calls by former President Rodrigo Duterte to separate Mindanao from the Philippines.

"The National Government will not hesitate to use its authority and forces to quell and stop any and all attempts to dismember the Republic," said National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año in a statement.

 "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," the NSC official added.

Año underscored the importance of national unity, security and stability, saying that calls for the division of the 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,” he said.

Incidentally, Año served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the Duterte administration. 

“It is imperative for all Filipinos to uphold the principles enshrined in our Constitution which espouses the unity and territorial integrity of our nation. Any suggestion of secession not only runs counter to the Constitution but also threatens to undo the hard-won gains of peace and development, particularly in Mindanao,” the NSC official maintained.

Last week, Duterte raised the idea of Mindanao seceding from the Philippines through a process based on gathering signatures.

A mayor of Davao City for several terms before being elected president, Duterte said it was Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez who first pushed for the "desirability of Mindanao seceding from the Republic of the Philippines."

Mindanao leaders:secession not the answer

Public officials in Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Camiguin, have expressed opposition to the plan of former President Rodrigo Duterte to separate Mindanao from the Philippines.

Maguindanao del Sur Governo Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu shared the same sentiments as the National Security Adviser, saying that the separation of Mindanao is not the answer to the region's problems. 

“We affirm that secession is not the answer to Mindanao’s concern. It denies our people the rights embodied by the Constitution, including the destruction of our territorial integrity compromising our efforts to build a stronger nation,” she added. 

Mangudadatu also pointed out that upholding democracy is the “primary consideration” of the people in Mindanao in asserting their rights. 

“In the spirit of peace and unity, we turn down any call or movement that aims to destabilize our government and eventually that would divide our nation, much the movement that would separate Mindanao with our beloved country the Philippines,” she said.    

Meanwhile, Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu also called for unity and one united Philippines, saying that the secession will only lead to disruption of productivity of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 

“In the spirit of unity, let us reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democracy, inclusivity, and justice. We must move forward stronger as one undivided nation under a collective objective of stability and progress,” he added.

Seditious?

Also rejecting the ex-president's call, Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo and his father, Representative Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, warned Duterte and Alvarez that they could be held criminally liable for sedition for their “contentious and divisive secession movement.” 

The Romualdos describe the plan by Duterte and Alvarez as seditious as it calls for the separation of Mindanao from the Philippine Republic, which violates the 1987 Constitution.

“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?” Governor Romualdo asked. 

Rep. Romualdo, on the other hand, urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to investigate and possibly initiate expulsion proceedings against Alvarez for his role in advocating for Mindanao secession.

“Lawmakers and ordinary Mindanaoans are gravely concerned over the potential implications of such separatist movements on national unity and stability. The secession proposal has far-reaching effects on the values of sovereignty, unity, and rule of law in the Philippines,” he said.

GMA News Online sought for a comment from the camps of Duterte and Alvarez, and will update this story once they respond.—RF, GMA Integrated News