Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (黑料社 file photo/Ryan Leagogo)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of National Defense (DND) will 鈥渟trictly enforce鈥� its mandate to protect the integrity of the national territory amid calls for a separate Mindanao, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday.
鈥淭he mandate of the Department of National Defense is to secure the sovereignty of the State and integrity of the national territory as enshrined in the Constitution,鈥� Teodoro said in a statement.
鈥淲e will strictly enforce this mandate whether externally or internally,鈥� he added.
On January 31, former president Rodrigo Duterte claimed that local political forces would regroup in the Davao Region to start a movement for Mindanao鈥檚 independence.
The new movement, he said, 鈥渨on鈥檛 be a bloody one鈥� and would be headed by Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.
Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. warned of possible chaos should the proposal push聽through.
Two former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chiefs under the Duterte administration likewise rejected his call.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., the AFP chief in 2018, said Duterte鈥檚 call would destabilize the country.
National Security Adviser Eduardo A帽o said Duterte鈥檚 plan will be met with 鈥渞esolute force.鈥� A帽o served as the AFP chief until 2017.