THE proposal to have an independent Mindanao is an insane one and should be set aside, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, who is known as the first and only Filipino Cardinal from Mindanao, said as he rejected the proposal of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The Mindanao bishops have not yet issued a consensus statement. Perhaps they think, as I do, that the idea of an independent Mindanao is insane and simply to be put aside,” said Quevedo in his monthly column posted by CBCP News.
“It is my belief that the common good of all Filipinos would be served much better when the nation is preserved as one, with all regions, cultures, religious traditions, social classes, and tribes contributing to the common good, and collaborating in solidarity and unity for the good of the nation,” he added.
Quevedo’s statement comes weeks after Duterte called for the separation of Mindanao from the Philippines.
Duterte said his call is due to the continued underdevelopment and lack of progress in Mindanao.
Quevedo said that if Duterte really believes that Mindanao still lacks progress, he should have addressed the problem during his presidency.
“If the reasons were economic, our former President, who is from Mindanao, could certainly have persuaded Congress to enact the laws necessary to provide development funds,” he said, adding: “Political officials from Mindanao in the House of Representatives and in the Senate could have collaborated towards this objective.”
Nevertheless, the Cardinal, who is known for his peace advocacy, said he backs Duterte’s aim to finally bring progress in Mindanao.
