Advocates lay groundwork for Mindanao Republic

DAVAO CITY — The proposed ‘Mindanao Republic’ is no joke after all. The proponents of the Federal Republic of Mindanao came up with a proposed flag, which Mayor Rodrigo Duterte showed the other day in his ‘Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa’ weekly TV program here.

Duterte has been pushing for a more equitable share of the country’s resources which, he said, could not be attained under the present system but is definitely reachable through the establishment of a separate Mindanao Republic.

"That is why the opposition and militant groups in Manila better think twice in pushing for the ouster of President Arroyo through illegal means because we Mindanaoans are prepared to sever ties with you and come up with our own Mindanao Republic. We already even have a flag in case of any eventuality," the Duterte said.

The mayor said he met recently with other advocates of the Mindanao Republic, which include former Transportation and Communication Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez.

The dominant colors of the flag are sky blue and navy blue, which represent the sky and the sea while the background is a band of colors representing the different people and cultures of Mindanao.

"Red was chosen for the big star because it means power, determination and love while white was chosen as the color of the small stars, which represent the eight independent states under the Mindanao Republic.

And it doesn’t end with the flag. Duterte also aired during his TV program the proposed national anthem for the so-called Mindanao Republic entitled ‘Land of Promise’, Mindanao being the land of promise.

"I will only strongly push for the establishment of a Mindanao Republic if the opposition and the militant groups in Imperial Manila would succeed in ousting the President through illegal means. Enough is enough. We, Mindanaoans cannot just let those in Manila dictate what we should do," Duterte said.

However, if the country weathers the political storm, then the mayor said he would just continue advocating for a federal system of government.

Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Plaza also announced yesterday that he is open to the move to establish a Mindanao Republic if destabilization against the government suceeds.

"I am open to every possibility, especially if the general welfare and interest of my province, the Caraga Region and Mindanao are affected," he said in an exclusive interview with The STAR.

More than one half of the country’s 20 poorest provinces are in Mindanao. — With Ben Serrano