Gutoc: Young, professional Muslims are allergic to Mindanao independence

Marawi civic leader and Aksyon Demokratiko’s senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc. (File photo)

MANILA, Philippines —  Former senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc on Thursday expressed disapproval on the call for a “separate and independent” Mindanao.

She said younger and professional Muslims are now “allergic” to the idea.

“Allergic na po ako… Allergic na po kami,” she said on the sidelines of National Hijab Day ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon city.

(I am allergic [to Mindanao independence]. We are already allergic.)

Hijab is the scarf worn by Muslim women in observance of their Islamic religion.

“I mean, as young Muslim professionals, no po to secession. It should not even be a word even that should be raised,” she went on.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said local political forces would be regrouping in Davao to start a movement for Mindanao independence.

According to Duterte, the new movement, which he said “won’t be a bloody one,” would be headed by Davao del Norte First District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez.

But Gutoc said the clamor for Mindanao independence is “not timely” anymore.

She thinks Duterte might have raised the call “out of emotion” and for the “recognition” of their region.

“With due respect po kay [former] President, syempre kami po ang pinaka-nabugbog ng secession, ng rebelyon. Si Sir Digong, baka expression nya ‘yun na kilalanin kami,”
she said.

(With due respect po kay [former] President, we were, of course, the most battered by secession, by rebellion. Sir Digong might have expressed that for us to be recognized.)

“I’m sure out of emotion ‘yun, na hindi naman ‘yun call to inciting a sedition na nasa penal code,” she added.

(I’m sure that’s out of emotion, not a call to incite sedition which is in the penal code.)

Gutoc ran as a senatorial aspirant under Liberal Party in 2019 and Aksyon Demokratiko in 2022.