By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Without naming former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have issued warnings against moves that threaten the “territorial integrity” of the Philippines.
The DND and DOJ issued the warnings after Duterte revived the campaign for “a separate and independent Mindanao” kicked off, which Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez said he is gathering signatures for.
“The mandate of the Department of National Defense is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of our national territory as enshrined in the Constitution,” Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said. “We will strictly enforce this mandate whether externally or internally.”
In a separate statement, the DOJ said it is “vehemently opposed” to calls for secession “of Mindanao or other parts of the country.”
It pointed out that secession is contrary to the principles of a democratic society as stated in the Constitution and called on Filipinos “to reject secessionist ideologies.”
Philippine National Police (PNP)chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the police forces are already looking into the matter.
“‘Yun ang tinitignan natin those who are talking about such interest of separating yun ang mino-monitor natin,” Acorda Jr. said.
The PNP chief, however, expressed confidence that the national police will oppose moves to separate Mindanao from the Republic of the Philippines.
“These are all defined through our Constitution, yung territory natin, sovereignty natin. It’s not good na after all the sacrifices of our heroes and other kababayans and now that we are enjoying peace (that this comes up),” Acorda Jr. quipped.
(el Amigo/MNM)
