A group of Muslims in Bulacan strongly opposed the proposal of former President Rodrigo Duterte to separate Mindanao from the Philippines. 

"It is against the constitution and destruction of our Mother Land. Nagbuwis ng dugo, pawis at luha ang mga kapatid nating Muslim para maging mapayapa ang Mindanao, huwag nating hayaang sirain nila ito dahil lamang sa isang personal na dahilan ng isang taong gustong takasan ang International Criminal Court," (Our Muslim brothers shed blood, sweat, and tears to Mindanao peaceful, Don't let them destroy just because of the personal reasons of a man that would like to elude the International Criminal Court),' said Ret. Police General Sahiron Salim, 72, a Tausug-Muslim Imam from Jolo, Sulu.

The retired police general said he supported the leadership of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr., and likewise agreed with the statement of Kabataan Partylist Rep.Raoul Manual that Duterte doesn't own Mindanao. He also supported the calls of  Gov. Dex Cua, president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines  (ULAP) to maintain the three islands of the country as "united and undivided."

Salim said he sees nothing wrong with the move of Congress to amend the 1987 Cconstitution. 

"Ang masama ay ang pagsira ng kalupaan na sakop ng ating bansang tinubuan, ang Mahaldika," (What's wrong is the destruction of our native land, the Mahaldika), said Salim.

In a press conference in the City of Malolos, Salim appealed to the Senate and Congress to give heed and to study changing the name of the Philippines.

Salim said Filipino families are deeply rooted in the blood of heroes and warriors, who stood and fought for victory and sacrificed their lives in the name of peace. 

"Ang gabay ni Allah, ay gaya ng pagbibigay ng pangalan sa isang sanggol, dapat naaayon sa lumikha upang umagos ang biyaya at tagumpay." (The guidance of Allah is like giving a name to a child, should be favorable to the creator to allow the flow of blessings and success),"  the Muslin Imam said.

He said Philippines was the name given by the Spanish who for 300 years conquered the archipelago of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

According to Salim, Mahaldika was the original and spiritual name of the whole island wherein Muslim brothers sailed to nearby countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

He said the meaning of Mahaldika is "Land of Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity."

"Kaya sa palagay ko kung ibabalik natin at ito ang gagamitin nating pangalan pamalit sa Pilipinas, mawawala ang mga salot na dumarating tulad ng kasalukuyang nangyari sa Mindanao, magiging mapayapa tayo at maunlad sa gabay ni Allah," (In my opinion if we will take it back and use the name to replace the  Philippines, the plagues that came and caused problems in Mindanao will go away. We will be peaceful and progressive with the guidance of Allah)," Salim added.