Philippines to Use 'Forces' to Quell Secession Attempts, Official Says

[TexasTowelie]

MANILA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The Philippine government is ready to use "authority and forces" against attempts to divide the nation, a security official said Sunday, after former President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to separate some southern islands from the rest of the archipelago.

Duterte has called for the independence of his hometown Mindanao from the Philippines as his alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr disintegrated this week over disagreements around efforts to amend the constitution.

Marcos said amending the 1987 constitution was meant to ease foreign investments, but Duterte accused him of using constitutional change to stay in power.

National security adviser Eduardo Ano said in a statement any attempt to secede "will be met by the government with resolute force", citing "recent calls to separate Mindanao" but without specifically naming Duterte.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-ready-use-forces-quell-any-secession-attempt-official-2024-02-04/

[peppertree]

1. When the elder Marcos was overthrown, they had 55 million people - now its almost 120 million

With demographic pressure like that - plus the fact that the considerable economic growth since then has mostly landed in the hands of the top 20% - it's no wonder these problems are resurfacing.