Duterte to push Mindanao Republic if GMA is ousted

DAVAO CITY — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he would have no qualms in leading the establishment of a separate Mindanao Republic if President Arroyo is ousted by the more adventurous opposition and militant organizations in Metro Manila.

"The possibility of a republic of Mindanao looms in the horizon. Nobody can prevent Mindanaoans from establishing a separate republic should rebellion against the government succeed in Metro Manila," said Duterte.

The mayor said the threat brought about by those wanting to destabilize the government still remains despite the apparent calm following a tumultuous week in the political arena that led to the lifting Friday of the state of emergency.

"And who will arrest us if we establish our own republic here in Mindanao? Nobody can do that to us here because whoever would succeed in ousting the President would be committing rebellion and there will be no basis for anyone to charge us with rebellion if they themselves have committed it," Duterte said.

The mayor pointed out that even if he is an avid supporter of the President, his advocating a separate Mindanao Republic is not about her staying in power but more in defending the Constitution and the government as an institution.

"It is not about GMA (Mrs. Arroyo), but it is defending the office of the President and the government itself as an institution." he said.

Duterte explained that recent developments no longer call for the mere resignation of the President but for her ouster which, he said is tantamount to toppling the entire government.

"The resign GMA phase is over. They are now calling for her ouster which is a totally different matter from the calls for resignation. It is not just the President that they want out but they want the entire government to collapse," the mayor said.

He likewise cited the problem of a fractious opposition which to him spells more trouble ahead.

"The question here is what if they succeed, what next? They all have their own agenda and they do not agree on a common alternative to Mrs. Arroyo. There would be more chaos and we, Mindanaoans would really push for that Mindanao republic," Duterte further said.

"If you oust Mrs. Arroyo, government would really collapse." he said.

The tough-talking mayor likewise stressed that Mindanao does not lack good leaders who would chart the destiny of the island should it opt to become a separate republic.

"You have many leaders here. You have Emano (Mayor Vicente Emano of Cagayan de Oro City) and you have Lobregat (Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City) and many others who can ably lead the South," the mayor said.

Security forces for a separate Mindanao republic shall also not pose any problem as there are many soldiers and even police personnel who are from the south who could be tapped to take charge of the security aspect of the island.