Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. called for unity on Friday, Feb. 2, as he opposed a proposal made by his previous boss, former president Rodrigo Duterte, for the secession of Mindanao from the rest of the country.

Galvez said that such call for the separation of Mindanao only aims to "destabilize our beloved nation."

"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," the peace adviser stated.

"Second, it goes against the principles of a country which is already benefiting and enjoying the dividends of the comprehensive peace process that has put an end to decades of armed conflict in Mindanao," he added.

Galvez has been at the forefront of unifying Mindanao by creating programs for the peaceful return of Moro separatists, communist insurgents, local terrorists and other revolutionary groups back to the society so they could lead peaceful lives.

"The members of these former revolutionary groups are now playing an active part in nation-building. They are helping the national government promote genuine peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro through inclusive, people-centered moral governance," he said.

The peace adviser further stated that Mindanao has already shed its old image as a "land of volatility, violence and armed struggle" and has already become a "symbol of hope, mutual understanding, solidarity, and a shining example that good things come to those who choose the path of peace."

"We cannot afford to go back to square one. We must learn our lessons from the past and apply these to all aspects of our life as peace-loving citizens. Let us always choose peace and remain united, as it is the only way to move forward as one people and one nation," Galvez said.

Last Tuesday, Duterte floated the idea of a "separate and independent" Mindanao from the Philippines which supposedly was already being pushed by local political personalities reorganizing into a new group in the southern part of the country.

He said the group was not calling for a rebellion among the people, but will follow a United Nations process where people's signatures will be gathered expressing their desire for a separate nation.

A trusted official of Duterte, Galvez had served as Covid-19 vaccine czar, chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, and presidential peace adviser during the previous administration.