‘Duterte, Alvarez may be liable for sedition’

MANILA, Philippines — Pronouncements of former president Rodrigo Duterte and former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for Mindanao to “secede” from the country make them liable for sedition, politicians in Camiguin province declared.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and his son Gov. Xavier Jesus or XJ warned that the statements made by Duterte and the Davao del Norte first district congressman could result in an indictment for sedition.

Sedition, a non-bailable offense under Philippine laws, is an act – either in writing or verbally broadcast nationwide – of inciting people (using burned flags, among other incendiary acts) to rebel against a duly constituted authority or government.

“The proposal and subsequent actions by Duterte and Alvarez are seditious insofar as it calls for the separation of Mindanao from the Philippine Republic in violation of the 1987 Constitution,” the Romualdos warned.

“The Charter explicitly protects the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, prohibiting any form of secession or division,” they said in a joint statement, adding the island-province of Camiguin in Northern Mindanao is “vehemently opposed to dividing the nation.”

XJ said Duterte and Alvarez “should thus answer for their complaints about the state of Mindanao.”

“If things are as bad as they say, why is it that way when you ruled the country for six years? What were you doing when you were at the helm?”

Governor Romualdo added that it is clear that Duterte and Alvarez are “engaging in dangerous antics and stunts to distract and divide the nation for their own interests.”

“Whether it’s his fear of possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court, or to be politically relevant again, or whatever his reason is, the former president is toying with dangerous proposals for selfish interests and self-preservation,” the younger Romualdo remarked.

As this developed, the older Romualdo urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to “investigate and – should the evidence warrant – initiate expulsion proceedings against Alvarez for his role in advocating for Mindanao secession.”

“Lawmakers and ordinary Mindanaoans are gravely concerned over