HEADLINE-SECESSION | Marcos Jr.: National territory won’t be diminished

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‘Push for separate Mindanao doomed to fail’

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MANILA, Philippines —  There’s no way the national territory would be diminished, President Marcos said yesterday as he declared that any attempt to separate Mindanao from the Philippines is “doomed to fail.”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: our national territory will not be diminished, even by one square inch. We will continue to defend from any threats, external and internal. We will not allow even an iota of suggestion of its breaking apart,” Marcos said at an event commemorating Constitution Day in Makati.

In his speech, Marcos branded as a “grave violation of the Constitution” a move to secede Mindanao from the Philippines being spearheaded by his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos called on Filipinos to join him in defending the sanctity of the country’s territorial integrity.

He said the Constitution calls for a united and undivided country and does not have a provision allowing its dismemberment.

Marcos said Duterte’s campaign would never take off “for it is anchored on a false premise, not to mention a sheer constitutional travesty.”

He noted that the leadership of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other political leaders of the island have repudiated what he called a “preposterous” proposal.

“This is because there can be, in fact there is already, genuine and effective local autonomy throughout our country, especially in the BARMM, without compromising our national integrity in the slightest degree,” the President said.

“I strongly appeal to all concerned to stop this call for a separate Mindanao. It is a grave violation of our Constitution. This is not the new Philippines we are molding but the dismemberment of our country, the Philippines,” he said.

It was the first time Marcos spoke against the proposal of Duterte, who recently accused him of being a drug addict and who warned him that he could be ousted over a controversial campaign to amend the Constitution through people’s initiative.

Marcos said the Constitution does not recognize the right to rebellion, an act punishable under criminal laws.

“The government has sternly enforced these laws to the letter and spirit, and this administration will be no exception,” the Chief Executive said.

“On this part of the Constitution, there is simply no dynamism or flexibility. This is my guarantee not only throughout this term but up to my dying breath,” he maintained.

Marcos reiterated the need for unity, saying a divided republic cannot prosper.

“It was unity that made us rise from pandemic challenges and under the banner of the rule of law, the supremacy of the Constitution, our unity, both of our people and our territorial domain will continue to fuel our ascent and the further pursuit of our collective goals and aspirations as a nation,” the Chief Executive said.

“We must galvanize our people and rally them to preserve our republic and everything that our flag symbolizes, its three stars and its sun. Let us not turn our backs on our flag.”

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BARMM rising

Earlier yesterday at 17th meeting in Pasay City of the Intergovernmental Relations Body for BARMM, Marcos said the campaign for Bagong Pilipinas or new Philippines won’t be complete without a BARMM rising alongside.

He lauded the Bangsamoro Transition Authority for passing the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, Bangsamoro Civil Service Code, Bangsamoro Education Code, Bangsamoro Electoral Code and the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code.

He described the laws as “major pillars in strengthening the rule of law, upon which peace is founded.”

“This will be the institutions to which you will hold fast as you build your government and you bring our people to progress,” Marcos said.

Marcos said his administration has new programs for helping the Bangsamoro people achieve true progress and peace.

Marcos did not mention the former president in his remarks but highlighted the importance of Mindanao in the country’s development.

Various sectors and local government groups have rejected Duterte’s plan, saying it would reverse the gains of the peace process, as it would sow disunity and disrupt the Philippines’ growth momentum.

“We owe this to our children, to our grandchildren, that the horrors and the harrows of the past must never visit them again; that as brothers and sisters united under one nation, we can forge a better future in a kinder society where opportunities reward hard work, dreams can come true and peace with justice will reign,” the President said.

“A stronger BARMM means a stronger Mindanao, and a stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines, bringing us closer to achieving our agendas.”

Duterte, who pushed for federalism during his term, slammed a signature campaign seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution through people’s initiative, saying it was meant to remove term limits of officials so they could remain in power.

He also accused Marcos’ cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos of being behind the campaign, which he called a “fraud.”

Speaking during an event in La Union on Wednesday, the First Lady said there is no place for defamation under Bagong Pilipinas.

“Defamation, criticism and hurtful words have no room under the present administration. Filipinos rich or poor have class,” she said, without revealing who she was specifically addressing.

“It is a master plan for genuine development for the benefit of our people,” she said, referring to Bagong Pilipinas. “What this really means is that both the public and the private sectors will be joining forces to help our countrymen.”

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Ready for polls

At the same event, Marcos called on BARMM to ensure peaceful parliamentary polls next year. He said the preparations for the BARMM’s first parliamentary election would be tested in May 2025.

“Giving the vote to the people to choose their leaders is the logical, succession, evolution, to the grant of self-rule to your land. I urge all of you, and we will be by your side, to make this very historic election, this very historical and important event, a success. Let us show the world that it is peaceful and it is credible,” Marcos said.

“Let me be blunt that perhaps we must remind ourselves that we are now operating under different rules and that we cannot allow forces outside of the democratic process to deviate our dreams and our aspirations from a democratic process. Let us not allow even one single voter to be disenfranchise by violence, by intimidation or by bribery,” he added.

Marcos expressed optimism that the region is ready for the upcoming elections.

“After the elections, it will be a new chapter for BARMM. I face the future with optimism. What gives me hope is the belief that you have prepared well. You are ripe, you are ready,” he said.

According to Marcos, peace is not found in documents, agreements and in the minutes of  meetings, but in jobs created, schools opened, farms irrigated, new hospitals opened, roads constructed and businesses launched.

“To us, there is only one true peace when the bloody tally of war is replaced with a scoreboard of development,” he said. “And that scoreboard shows that peace has won, and the war is over.”

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‘Agents of transformation’

Also yesterday, President Marcos urged Muslim Filipinos to be “agents of transformation” as they observed Al-Isra’ wal Mi’raj, believed to be the night Islam’s prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven and started a miraculous journey from Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

In his message, Marcos said the Filipino Muslims’ observance of the Al-Isra’ wal Mi’raj should provide them strength and reinvigoration in times of despair.

“Through these, we are forged to become not only living witnesses of our faith but also Allah’s agents of transformation and renewal here on Earth,” Marcos said.

“Let this occasion imbue with increased courage and optimism as we collectively face and transform the future of our nation to be more peaceful, inclusive and progressive for all Filipinos to enjoy,” he added.

Marcos said the night journey and ascension of Muhammad gives a “perfect picture” of the rewards that Muslims may reap by having faith in Allah.

“More than that, the narrative also magnifies the glory and might of Allah who revealed, during this difficult and perilous journey, the virtue of pursuing righteousness and the incomparable prize that awaits us when we remain true and devoted to our faith and our convictions,” he added.

In observance of the Al-Isra’ wal Mi’raj, the government has declared Feb. 8 a holiday in the BARMM and other Muslim-majority areas.

Muslim government workers outside the BARMM are also entitled to observe the holiday.

Vice President Sara Duterte, for her part, also marked the observance of the Al-Isra’ wal Mi’raj with a call for prayers for happiness and peace.

“As we commemorate this special occasion with our loved ones, let us offer our night prayers, seeking happiness and tranquility,” she said.

“The journey of Prophet Muhammad serves as a powerful reminder that despite the diversity in our lives, our faith and dedication unite us. This invaluable lesson on the virtues of humility and trust remains timeless and relevant in our present times,” she said.

“Our unwavering belief in the one God, Allah, and His divine message serves as the ultimate bond that unifies us,” she added. “To all our Muslim brothers and sisters, let us seize this opportunity to pray for those who seek blessings from Allah, hoping for a life filled with divine grace. May this auspicious day bring forth peace and prosperity for all.”  – Neil Jayson Servallos, Helen Flores