CAMIGUIN Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and son Governor Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo said that their province completely reject the proposal to secede Mindanao from the rest of the Philippines.

The two officials likewise warned former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez that they could be held criminally liable for sedition for their contentious and divisive secession movement.

The Romualdos said the proposal and subsequent actions by Duterte and Alvarez are seditious insofar as it calls for the separation of Mindanao from the Philippine Republic in violation of the 1987 Constitution.

The Charter explicitly protects the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, prohibiting any form of secession or division, they stressed.

They added that Camiguin, an island-province in Northern Mindanao, is vehemently opposed to Duterte’s self-serving plan to divide the nation.

“I served three terms in Congress. Two of those terms were during the Duterte presidency. And I served under five speakers, including former Speaker Alvarez. Of the five, Alvarez was the most forceful and powerful. Of course, everyone knows how powerful former President Duterte was during his term. Both are from Mindanao. They should thus answer for their complaints about the state of Mindanao. If things are as bad as they say, why is it that way when you ruled the country for six years? What were you doing when you were at the helm?” Governor Romualdo said.

The governor added that it is clear that Duterte and Alvarez are engaging in dangerous antics and stunts to distract and divide the nation for their own interests.

“Whether it’s his fear of possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court, or to be politically relevant again, or whatever his reason is, the former president is toying with dangerous proposals for selfish interests and self-preservation,” they also said.

As this developed, Rep. Romualdo urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to investigate— and should the evidence warrant— initiate expulsion proceedings against Alvarez for his role in advocating for Mindanao secession.

“Lawmakers and ordinary Mindanaoans are gravely concerned over the potential implications of such separatist movements on national unity and stability. The secession proposal has far-reaching effects on the values of sovereignty, unity, and rule of law in the Philippines,” they said.

“It took many decades and countless lives lost before Mindanao experienced relative peace. Now that it’s on the road to prosperity, it’s frustrating that people like Duterte and Alvarez are willing to throw all that sacrifice in the name of self-preservation,” the solon added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas