BARMM governors say no to secession
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Governors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have flatly rejected the proposal by former president Rodrigo Duterte to dismember the southern region of Mindanao from the rest of the country.
Governors Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman of Basilan, Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, and Abdulraof Macacua of Lanao del Norte, and Mariam Mangudadatu released separate statements opposing the secession of Mindanao.
“The Bangsamoro people are resolved not to regress, but to forge ahead together as one indomitable force, celebrating their Bangsamoro identity as an integral part of the Philippine Republic,” the governors said as they expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his dedication to realizing lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
“His consistent and substantial policy statements and programs have installed a sense of stability since assuming office.”
The governors are also calling on their constituents to stand united and rally behind the Philippine flag.
The governors affirmed that the relentless execution of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front serves as a dynamic force, yielding substantial and profound outcomes of peace that resonate powerfully across the entire region.
Mangudadatu said that Mindanao secession will deny the Constitutional rights of their people and will compromise the government’s efforts to build a stronger Philippines.
She said that 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. 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,” Mangudadatu said.
“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 like the movement that would separate Mindanao with our beloved country the Philippines. We are for one and united Philippines,” she added.
The statements of the Muslim governors showed the dipping popularity of Duterte who is facing an investigation by the International Criminal Court into his deadly war on drugs, and various issues surrounding public funding worth over P51 billion received by his son Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte during his father’s administration, among others.
Duterte also repeatedly attacked the credibility of Marcos and his allies in the House following the disapproval of the hundreds of millions of pesos in intelligence and confidential funds for his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who is currently the Education secretary.