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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DND adds voice to growing opposition vs secession of Mindanao

DND adds voice to growing opposition vs secession of Mindanao

Published Feb 5, 2024 06:52 am

At A Glance

  • The list of government agencies expressing their firm opposition to a proposal to separate Mindanao from the rest of the country grew even longer. The Department of National Defense (DND) reiterated its commitment to secure the integrity of the national territory.
  • DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. became the latest known ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte to reject his proposal for the establishment of a "separate and independent" Mindanao.
  • "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. We will strictly enforce this mandate whether externally or internally," Teodoro said in a rather short statement, but one that offered readers to read between the lines.
  • Teodoro made the remark a day after National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año warned that the national government would not hesitate to use force to quell any efforts to "dismember" the country.
Gibo.jpg
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (File photo)

The list of government agencies expressing their firm opposition to a proposal to separate Mindanao from the rest of the country grew even longer as the Department of National Defense (DND) reiterated its commitment to secure the integrity of the national territory.

DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. became the latest known ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte to reject his proposal for the establishment of a "separate and independent" Mindanao after expressing disappointment with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"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. We will strictly enforce this mandate whether externally or internally," Teodoro said in a rather short statement, but one that offered readers to read between the lines.

Teodoro made the remark a day after National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año warned that the national government would not hesitate to use force to quell any efforts to "dismember" the country.

He was also the latest Duterte ally to oppose the controversial proposal of the former president, aside from Año and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.

The public caught sight of Teodoro and Duterte's connection during the previous administration. In 2016, Duterte reportedly offered Teodoro to be his defense chief twice but the latter rejected it both times.

In the 2022 elections, Teodoro admitted to offering himself to run as the vice president of Duterte's daughter, then Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was a strong candidate for the presidency. Duterte-Carpio ditched plans to run as president and ran as Marcos' VP, with both of them winning in a landslide fashion.

On the other hand, Teodoro was eventually appointed by Marcos as the defense secretary on June 5, 2023.

Several other government agencies and stakeholders also expressed opposition to Duterte's proposal including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), lawmakers, political figures, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) among others.

AFP battlecry

Meanwhile, AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. introduced a new battle cry to troops, emphasizing the importance of unity within the ranks.

During the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, Brawner encouraged the troops to maintain the same level of professionalism and loyalty as he introduced the AFP’s new battle cry: "One AFP, One Philippines. Strong AFP, Strong Philippines."

"Let us remain loyal to the Constitution and to the duly constituted authorities. Isa lang ang ating Armed Forces of the Philippines (We only have one Armed Forces of the Philippines), and we only have one nation," he told the troops.

"If we have a very strong AFP, we will have a strong country. This is why we will pursue our modernization and we will develop our capabilities. Pero mas importante ang paghanda natin ng ating mga sundalo (But it is more important to prepare our soldiers). Let us prepare ourselves, make ourselves more competent in our jobs," he added.

Brawner also visited the headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) in Zamboanga City and the 101st Infantry Brigade (IBde) in Isabela City, Basilan on Sunday, Feb. 4.

He emphasized that the strength of the nation depends on the strength and unity of its armed forces as he continued his visit of military camps in Mindanao.

Prior to this, Brawner already talked to Davao-based soldiers and urged them to be vigilant against infiltrating enemies over the weekend.

Related Tags

President Ferdinand Marcos DND secessionism PBBM Rodrigo Duterte Sara Duterte Department of National Defense
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