SINGER-songwriter and former senatorial aspirant Atty. Jimmy Bondoc appeared to revive calls for Mindanao’s separation from the Philippines following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) rejection of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for interim release.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 28, Bondoc wrote, “Republic of Mindanao, coming soon,” suggesting support for a long-discussed proposal for the island to break away and form an independent state.
His remark came a day after the ICC Appeals Chamber upheld the earlier ruling denying Duterte’s temporary release as he remains detained in The Hague, Netherlands.
Talks of Mindanao secession resurfaced in October after Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga claimed the region could have developed into “something like Singapore” if not for corruption by politicians in Metro Manila.
“Mindanao could’ve been like Singapore if it wasn’t for the Corrupt Politicians in the NCR,” Barzaga said.
