Honasan lauds Marcos visit to Mindanao
FORMER senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan said the recent visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Mindanao signified a “modest step” toward reconciliation amid calls for secession by his predecessor.
During the observation of “Constitution Day 2024” in Makati City on February 8, Marcos said the call to separate Mindanao was “doomed to fail, for it is anchored on false premise not to mention a sheer constitutional travesty.”
Former president Rodrigo Duterte floated the idea of separating Mindanao from the Philippines days after reports surfaced that the administration allegedly allowed entry to International Criminal Court investigators looking into Duterte’s bloody drug war.
Marcos was in Duterte’s territory in Davao last February 7 to grace the inauguration of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, the region-wide land e-title distribution to agrarian reform beneficiaries, and the ceremonial signing of contracts for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project.
In a statement on Sunday, Honasan said Marcos’ trip to Mindanao was a “significant stride toward promoting unity, reconciliation and healing.”“This journey has commenced with a demonstration of humility, statesmanship, duty and patriotism, surpassing partisan politics,” he said.
“By joining forces with our leaders, we, the Filipino people, can collectively address the pressing issues that impact our nation’s best interests,” Honasan said.
“We aspire to witness a gradual collaboration among our leaders, where they can engage in constructive discussions regarding the concerns that affect our citizens, ultimately propelling our country forward,” he added.
On February 2, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. appealed to Filipinos to “continue supporting the Marcos administration’s peace, reconciliation and unity agenda.”
“For one, this call for separation is anathema to the letter and spirit of the Philippine Constitution, which is the bulwark of our nation’s identity as a people,” he said.
“The dividends of peace are upon us and are now being felt by everyone.” “When we, as Filipinos, are united, there is peace, development and prosperity. But when we, as a people, are divided, there is instability, underdevelopment and disorder,” he added.