MILF won’t support ‘Mindanao Republic’

Marawi City — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it does not support the creation of a "Mindanao Republic" broached by pro-Arroyo governors and other local executives in the South.

"We cannot endorse anything that we are not party to and whose objectives do not have a clear program for the Bangsa—moro people," said Mohaquer Icbal, the chief negotiator of the MILF in its peace talks with the government.

Neither will the MILF support such a move even if Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the prime mover, proposes to name it "Bangsamoro Republic," Icbal said.

Duterte raised the idea of creating a "Mindanao Republic" should the opposition and other anti-Arroyo forces in Metro Manila succeed in overthrowing the administration of President Arroyo.

Duterte’s threat of a breakaway government in the South has gained support from other Mindanao officials fed up with the politicking in what they described as "Imperial Manila," while other sectors have rejected it.

Sources said the proponents of the "Mindanao Republic" will meet tomorrow in Davao City to further tackle the idea.

Remaining steadfast in his support for Mrs. Arroyo, Duterte denied that the proposal was a "diversionary tactic" to prevent Mrs. Arroyo from being ousted.

"What is there to divert when all the issues are there? There is nothing to divert," he said.

"I have laid down the predicate that should the President be toppled through extra-constitutional processes, then we would go our separate ways...," he added.

Earlier, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, who is also an ally of Mrs. Arroyo, warned that Ilocanos in the North would create their own "republic" should the President be ousted.

The idea has caught on, with pro-Arroyo officials in the Visayas threatening to form their own. Now, Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid said his cabalen would similarly declare a "Pam—panga Republic" should Mrs. Arroyo be unseated unconstitutionally.

"Metro Manila has no right to impose itself on the rest of the country," Lapid said.

Meanwhile, Caraga officials said they would not hesitate to form their own state separate from the "Mindanao Republic" should the region’s development get less attention and should Mrs. Arroyo be removed from power forcibly. — With Pia Lee-Brago, Edith Regalado, Ben Serrano and Ding Cervantes