Palace: Provincial governors, mayors back ‘one Philippines’

MANILA, Philippines — Local officials have joined various sectors in rejecting former president Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to secede Mindanao from the Philippines, citing the need to maintain the country’s territorial integrity and to remain united in achieving common goals.

Provincial governors under the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), through national president Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua, yesterday emphasized the importance of “maintaining the integrity of the Philippines’ national territory while recognizing and celebrating diverse local and regional identities, including Mindanao.”

City mayors under the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) also expressed support for a united country to ensure “achievement in peace, progress and prosperity.”

“ULAP calls upon national and local governments, community groups and civil society organizations to collaborate towards inclusive and sustainable development across the Philippines,” Cua was quoted in a Palace statement as saying.

“We believe that the entire nation, including Mindanao, with its abundant resources and untapped potential, can flourish through cooperative and collective efforts,” he added.

Last week, Duterte, who advocated for federalism when he was president, announced a plan to regroup local leaders and gather signatures from those who want Mindanao to separate from the Philippines.?He said the Philippines has not achieved much progress under different administrations.

Duterte made the Mindanao secession remarks at a recent rally in Davao after lambasting a controversial signature campaign that aims to amend the 1987 Constitution through people’s initiative.

The former president alleged that President Marcos’ cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were behind the signature campaign, which he described as a “fraud.”

Various officials have rejected Duterte’s plan, including National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, who served as interior secretary during his administration.

In a statement issued last Sunday, Año said the national government would “not hesitate to use its authority and forces to quell and stop any and all attempts to dismember the republic.”

“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.

According to Cua, ULAP champions the principle of “One Nation, United, Undivided” and is committed to fostering unity and progress for all Filipinos.

It also supports prioritizing investments in key sectors like infrastructure, education, health care, social protection, technology and livelihood development that create jobs, improve living standards and enhance Filipinos’ lives.

“We advocate for the active participation and empowerment of local communities, ensuring that their voices contribute to the national dialogue and are effectively addressed,” the governor said.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, LCP president, was quoted in a separate Palace statement as saying: “We cannot over-emphasize the importance of working together, of moving as one, propelled by our genuine concern for the plight of our fellow Filipinos. Now, more than ever, we should be guided by compassion and sensitivity to attain progress together.”

While Filipinos have different views of development, collective efforts “should precede people’s sense of decency, respect and care for each other,” Rama said.

“The League supports the duly constituted authority and remains steadfast in upholding the Constitution. We must continue to be guided by selfless service, a hallmark of genuine public servants,” the mayor said.

“Our strength as a nation lies in our ability to rise above partnership and self-interests. Our nemesis is a divided nation. We are stronger when we are united through God’s blessings,” he added.

Internal threat

In a statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) said its mandate is to also protect the country from internal threats and not just from foreign threats.

“The mandate of the Department of National Defense is to secure the sovereignty of the State and integrity of the national territory as enshrined in the Constitution,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said.

It was not clear what prompted him to issue the statement, but it was issued days after Duterte’s declaring his bid for Mindanao secession.

“We will strictly enforce this mandate whether externally or internally,” Teodoro declared.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., for his part, has again called on the military to remain loyal to the country and its leaders.

“There is only one Armed Forces of the Philippines, and we only have one nation. If we have a very strong AFP, we will have a strong country,” he said at yesterday’s flag raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Banjamin Acorda Jr. said any attempt at secession could disrupt the hard-earned peace the country now enjoys, as he warned groups pushing for it of dire consequences.

“The best thing is let us be united, let us not entertain these ideas. After all, we are already peaceful,” Acorda said at a briefing at Camp Crame, stressing that the PNP is committed to help preserve the country’s unity.

On the possibility that some members of the police force in Mindanao might get lured or pressed into joining a secessionist movement, Acorda stressed the PNP is a civilian organization and does not take sides in political matters as an institution.

“We are supposedly apolitical. If there are political affiliations that we see in other groups that support such move to separate Mindanao, our police force should not be there,” he said.

Strength in unity

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also issued a statement rejecting Duterte’s call.

“As the principal law agency of the executive branch, the DOJ remains committed to protecting our sovereignty and upholding the sanctity of the highest law of the land,” the DOJ said.

“Our nation’s strength lies in unity, and we call upon all Filipinos to reject secessionist ideologies and work together for a strong, united and undivided Bagong Pilipinas,” it added.

Joining the chorus of voices against Duterte’s idea, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chief Suharto Mangungudatu said “our nation’s unity is not just symbolic, it is the bedrock of our advancement and well-being.”

“While an independent Mindanao could thrive with its abundant resources and capable governance, it is highly important that we cherish and preserve our collective heritage as one united Filipino nation,” he added.

Mangungudatu said Mindanao regions have long collaborated in different sectors, including agriculture, education, health care and commerce.

He said cooperation and collaboration are keys to ensuring that the synergy of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao remains a pillar of national stability and growth.

“Division can only affect the full potential of our country’s economic strength,” Mangungudatu pointed out.

A ranking official of the Catholic Church in Mindanao also declared “no to the disintegration of our land,” in response to Duterte’s campaign to secede Mindanao from the Philippines.

“Sometimes, we act only if blood is shed to wake us up and give in to the request. Let’s not wait for that. I am for the preservation of our land, of our country the Philippines,” Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad said in a message aired over Radio Veritas. — Michael Punongbayan, Mark Ernest Villeza, Daphne Galvez, Evelyn Macairan, Mayen Jaymalin