MARIING tinutulan ni Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo at amang si Rep. Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo ang panukalang paghihiwalay ng Mindanao mula sa iba pang bahagi ng Pilipinas.

Kasabay nito, binantaan nila sina dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez na maaari silang papanagutin sa kasong sedition dahil sa kanilang mga panawagan na ihiwalay na ang Mindanao sa Pilipinas.

Ayon sa mga Romualdo, ang panukala at mga pahayag nina Duterte at Alvarez ay malinaw na sedisyon, at labag sa 1987 Konstitusyon.

Binigyang-diin ng mag-ama na ang Saligang-Batas ay tuwirang nagtatanggol sa pambansang soberanya at teritoryal na integridad ng Pilipinas, na nagbabawal ng anomang anyo ng paghihiwalay o paghati.

Idinagdag pa nila na ang Camiguin, isang islang probinsya sa Northern Mindanao, ay mariing tututol sa plano ni Duterte na hatiin ang bansa para sa kanyang sariling interes.

“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?” ani Governor Romualdo.

Idinagdag ni Gov. Romualdo na malinaw na sina Duterte at Alvarez ay naglalaro ng mapanganib na mga pahayag at gimik upang guluhin at hatiin ang bansa para sa kanilang sariling interes.

“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,” dagdag ng governor.

Kasunod nito, hinihimok ni Rep. Romualdo ang kanyang mga kasamahan sa House of Representatives na imbestigahan—at kung kinakailangan ng ebidensya—simulan ang proseso ng pagsuspinde laban kay Rep. Alvarez para sa kanyang papel sa pagsusulong ng paghihiwalay ng Mindanao.

“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,” ayon sa pahayag.

“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, iginiit ni Rep. Romualdo.