MANILA — Mindanao has been represented in top levels of government, a lawmaker from the southern Philippines Sunday, adding talk of secession undermines peace-building as well as unity and stability there.

Reviving talk of an independent Mindanao puts the region at risk of conflict and could make "barely healed trauma from past experiences worse," Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said.

"The fact that Mindanaoans have held prominent positions in the highest offices of the land is a testament to their integral role within the Philippine nation," he also said.

Apart from former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has floated the idea of Mindanao secession, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte is from Mindanao. 

"To entertain notions of secession undermines the unity and stability that our country has tried so hard to maintain," Alonto, a member of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, also said.

Alonto is a former member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that was created as part of the implementation of the peace agreement with the Moro islamic Liberation Front.

Rep. Rodge Gutierrez of the 1-Rider party-list on Sunday also joined opposition to the push by former president Duterte and Davao Del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez for Mindanao secession.

"Sabi nila, napabayaan daw ang Mindanao. This is surprising, coming from a former President and former Speaker. Wasn't Mindanao well represented during their terms?" Gutierrez said.

"Why would former President Duterte advocate for the dismemberment of the Republic that he himself led for six years?" he also said as he urged the two veteran politicians to reconsider their campaign. 

"The constitution is clear, Article I provides for our National Territory, we are one archipelago. There is no constitutional provision or any other legal means that would allow for Mindanao to unilaterally secede," he also said.

'DIVIDED HOUSE CANNOT STAND'

Another lawmaker meanwhile voiced opposition to Mindanao's independence, saying the movement would only deepen divisions in the country.

La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega cited a biblical warning that "a divided house cannot stand."

"Let us remember the wisdom of the Scriptures: 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.' It is crucial that we uphold the unity and integrity of our nation," Ortega said in a release.

He stressed that Filipinos are already dealing with challenges brought on by the pandemic and that the push for Mindanao secession would only intensify divisions.

"Instead, we should be focusing on fostering unity and rebuilding our nation," he said.

Ortega also highlighted the "integral role" of Mindanao and emphasized its "rich cultural heritage and contributions to the nation's development."

"Any attempt to separate it from the rest of the country undermines its historical and cultural significance," he said, noting the need for dialogue to address the "grievances and aspirations" of Mindanaoans.