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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Shut it down: Duterte, Alvarez should take cue from PBBM's rejection of Mindanao secession, says solon 

Shut it down: Duterte, Alvarez should take cue from PBBM's rejection of Mindanao secession, says solon 

Published Feb 10, 2024 04:54 am

At A Glance

  • Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez says that if President Marcos' recent remarks were anything to go by, then those advocating for Midnanao's secession should promptly drop their controversial call.

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Former president Rodrigo Duterte (left), Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (Malacañang photo, Facebook)



Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez says that if President Marcos' recent remarks were anything to go by, then those advocating for Midnanao's secession should promptly drop their controversial call.

Rodriguez was obviously referring to his fellow Mindanaoans former president Rodrigo Duterte and Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

“The former president, former Speaker [Alvarez] and their followers should stop any talk and any actual plan, if there is any, to secede Mindanao. President Marcos has categorically stated that he would not permit our national territory to be reduced ‘even by one square inch’ and would not allow ‘even an iota of suggestion of its breaking apart’,” Rodriguez said in a statement Saturday, Feb. 10.

Marcos gave these remarks during his speech on Constitution Day last Thursday, in an event in Makati City that was organized by the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa).

“President BBM is serious, and they should take his statements seriously,” stressed Rodriguez, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

He noted that aside from the President’s commitment to preserve the national territory, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has vowed that any group that actually takes steps to dismember the country would be met with force.

Moreover, Rodriguez said talk of secession does not help Mindanao.

“It is counterproductive. It scares away investors. Most of our island - the Davao provinces in particular, the bailiwick of PRRD - is now economically progressive and peaceful, including the BARMM area,” he added.

He however pointed out that Mindanao still needs a bigger budget under the Marcos administration because in this year’s (2024) budget only 16 percent was given to Mindanao, far behind the Luzon regions and Metro Manila.

“Mindanaonons should trust and give a chance to President Marcos to support and develop Mindanao after all he is just one year and seven months into his six-year term,” Rodriguez added.

Mindanao has 23 percent of the country’s population, produces 25 percent of the national wealth and has seven of the Top 10 poorest provinces in the Philippines. Affirmative action is needed for Mindanao’s development, said the lawmaker from Cagayan de Oro.

Related Tags

Pantaleon Alvarez Rufus Rodriguez Mindanao secession Rodrigo Duterte
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