‘Govt to quell moves to dismember PH’
NATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Sunday warned that the government “will not hesitate to use its authority and forces to quell and stop any and all attempts to dismember the Republic,” amid recent calls for the secession of Mindanao from the rest of the Philippines.
Año reminded Filipinos that calls to divide the country would only “serve to undermine our collective progress and prosperity.”
“In light of recent calls to separate Mindanao from the rest of the Philippines, we underscore the importance of national unity, security, and stability,” the former military chief said in a statement.
“We emphasize that only the strength of our country lies in our unity, and any attempt to sow division must be rejected by all sectors unequivocally,” he added.
Año warned that “any suggestion of secession not only runs counter to the Constitution but also threatens to undo the hardwon gains of peace and development, particularly in Mindanao.”
The comprehensive peace process, he said, ended decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao and must be safeguarded.
“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 said.
“While recognizing the richness of Mindanao’s natural resources and culture, it is essential to approach discussions about its development and autonomy within the framework of national unity, solidarity and supremacy of the Constitution. The diversity of our nation is a source of strength, and our differences should be celebrated within the context of our common identity as Filipino citizens,” he added.
Last week, former president Rodrigo Duterte floated the idea of separating Mindanao from the rest of the country, a move backed by Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.
This, however, was rejected by many lawmakers and even several leaders from Mindanao.
They include Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu, who said that the separation of Mindanao is not the answer to the problem in the region.
“Mindanao is a mirror of diversity, progress and preserving peace. Unity leads to peace, development and prosperity. Contrary to instability, underdevelopment and disorder,” she said in a statement.
“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.
Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu also rejected the calls for secession and reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, inclusivity and justice in Mindanao.
“Mindanao’s concerns should be resolved without pursuing secession. Such division would infringe the fundamental doctrines of our Constitution. It would disrupt the interconnected productivity of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that has long sustained our national economy, and risk fracturing the foundation of our unity and national stability,” he said.
“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.