Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong told proponents of the Mindanao secession not to use the proposal as a political slogan to express dismay over their circumstances or other political events.
Adiong, one of the members of a coalition of young and reform-minded legislators, bucked the calls of former President Rodrigo Duterte and ex-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for Mindanao to secede from the Philippine Republic, saying it was an “insult” to the memory of those who died in the Moro struggle for self-determination.
“Let’s not use this as a political slogan or sit down because we are frustrated personally or politically with the sitting leaders. Please don’t. Because it adds insult to the memory of those fallen and to the troops who have sacrificed their lives to protect the Philippines,” the lawmaker said.
In a related development, an alliance of various religious organizations, former government officials, and concerned citizens on Tuesday urged President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and Duterte to initiate a reconciliation meeting and lead an interfaith prayer rally.
Calling themselves the Covenant for the Nation, the groups appealed for “sobriety and reconciliation amid deep concerns about the current political situation in our beloved.” “It is evident that the present political climate is causing significant divisiveness not only within the political arena but also among our fellow citizens,” the group said.
Adiong meanwhile gave a brief history of the Moro struggle for the right to self-determination and self-governance, starting with the rebellion of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the secessionist movement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), both of which ended in peace.
In opposing the proposal, Adiong said if there are people who have the “moral ascendancy” to call for the secession of Mindanao, it will be the Muslims or the citizens of BARMM who have fought for their right to self-governance and self-determination.
Reps. Jefferson F. Khonghun of Zambales, p. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V of La Uniom and Faustino Dy V of Isabela also members of the so-called “Young Guns” together with Deputy Speaker David Suarez, also called on Duterte and Alvarez to stop their calls for Mindanao secession.
For the Covenant for the Nation, “the repercussions of this discord are far-reaching with the potential to affect the very people we have sworn to serve,” it added.
Grepor Belgica, a former government official during the administration of Duterte, said that the group will initiate a National Prayer gathering that aims to “heal the wounds of our nation under the divine guidance of the Almighty God.”
The group’s letter was signed by Bishop Dr. Grepor Butch Belgica, Bishop Reuben Abante, Chairman Greco Belgica, MNSA; lawyers Eduardo Bringas and Benedicto Jose, Gen. (Ret) Carlos Quita, and PB Gen. (Ret) Atty. Fortunato Guerrero. With Randy Caluag