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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Adiong: Don't use Mindanao secession as a 'political slogan' 

Adiong: Don't use Mindanao secession as a 'political slogan' 

Published Feb 13, 2024 07:45 am

At A Glance

  • Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has told those pushing for a separate and independent Mindanao not to use the secession issue as a "political slogan".

20240213_145523.jpgLanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (PPAB, Malacañang photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The proposed secession of Mindanao shouldn't be used as a mere "political slogan". 

This was Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong's emotional plea Tuesday, Feb. 13 to those pushing for a separate and independent Mindanao. 

"I guess my call to our leaders: be more circumspect, we should not use independence or the issue on secession of Mindanao as a political slogan. We should not use that loosely in order to express our dismay politically," Adiong said during a press conference. 

He said that as a person who has seen the horrors of war and lost loved ones due to the decades-long conflict in the far south, he does not take the issue of Mindanao's proposed secession lightly. 

"I’ve seen it, I know the smell of decomposing body. I know the sound of a gun...This issue of secession have killed more than a thousand great men. So let’s put it to rest," he said. 

The main proponent of the secession is former president Rodrigo Duterte, who like Adiong hails from Mindanao. 

"In so far as the call for secession is concerned, I think the Muslim community, the minority Muslims in Mindanao, have the moral ascendency to call for secession in the first place," said the congressman. 

 

CLICK HERE:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/11/solon-asks-duterte-alvarez-wasn-t-mindanao-well-represented-during-your-term

 

"So we have that ascendancy, the moral ascendancy to speak about and call for independence. But if you ask us, that issue is already settled, and there is no clamor for us to pursue independence," noted Adiong. 

He reckoned that "There [is] no way to move forward than to embrace national polity, join the mainstream Filipino society in order to progress." 

"In fact we all together abandoned the call for independence and we have settled for genuine autonomy because—not only in the Philippines but to ultimately ourselves¡" Adiong said. 

"That’s why President Marcos came out saying he will never surrender even an inch of our territory in the country.  So I guess our leaders in Mindanao should be more circumspect because they have the chance to really improve the lives of the people," he added.

Related Tags

zia alonto adiong Mindanao secession political slogan Rodrigo Duterte
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