Duterte mulls PI for Mindanao secession

After accusing President Marcos of being behind the people’s initiative signature campaign to change the Constitution, former president Rodrigo Duterte has put forward the idea of Mindanao seceding from the rest of the Philippines.

- DIANA LHYD SUELTO

Duterte said there is currently a “regrouping of the political arena that is still in the works” that would lead to the campaign for Mindanao to separate from the rest of the country.

He clarified this was not the start of a rebellion, but rather a continuation of the advocacy of Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, former House speaker.

“It’s not a rebellion. There is a process in the UN where you would gather signatures in Mindanao verifying under oath, in the presence of the many people, that you want a separate (nation),” Duterte said.