Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. says chaos will possibly ensue if former President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a separate Mindanao pushes through. (Photo from Acorda’s Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — Turmoil may ensue if former president Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a separate Mindanao pushes through, said Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Benjamin Acorda.
He also said the public need not worry now.
According to Acorda, the PNP has so far not detected any untoward incident resulting from Duterte’s proposal for a “separate and independent Mindanao” during a late-night tirade against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Acorda nevertheless said that the PNP is monitoring personalities pushing for the separation of Mindanao.
“Pwedeng magkagulo ‘pag gagawin ‘yon (There may be chaos if that is done), but as of now, I don’t see anything na reason for us to worry about this separation,” the PNP boss said in a press conference in Camp Crame on Monday.
“Those who are talking about such interest of separating [Mindanao], ‘yun ang mino-monitor natin (we are monitoring them),” he added.
On January 31, Duterte claimed that local political forces would regroup in the Davao Region to start a movement for Mindanao’s independence.
The new movement, he said, “won’t be a bloody one” and would be headed by Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.
Duterte’s late-night tirade against his successor came days after the January 28 rally in Davao City, where Mayor Baste Duterte called on Marcos to resign. The Dutertes staged the rally in their hometown, coinciding with the pro-administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” rally in Manila.