Mariing tinutulan ng Department of Justice (DOJ) ang panawagan na ihiwalay ang Mindanao sa Pilipinas.

"Secession is regarded as contrary to the principles of our democratic society, as stated in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution," pahayag ng DOJ.

"As the principal law agency of the executive branch, the DOJ remains committed to protecting our sovereignty and upholding the sanctity of the highest law of the land," dagdag ng DOJ.

Binigyang-diin ng DOJ na ang lakas ng bansa ay nakasandal sa pagkakaisa kaya nanawagan ito sa mga Pilipino na ibasura ang "secessionist ideologies" at magkapit-bisig para sa mas "strong, united, at undivided" na Bagong Pilipinas.

Nauna ng nagpahayag ng pagtutol ang provincial government ng Maguindanao del Sur at Sultan Kudarat sa panawagan na ihiwalay ang Mindanao sa ibang bahagi ng bansa.

Sinabi ni Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu na hindi sagot sa problema sa rehiyon ang paghihiwalay sa Mindanao.

“Mindanao is a mirror of diversity, progress and preserving peace. Unity leads to peace, development and prosperity. Contrary to instability, underdevelopment and disorder,” pahayag ni Governor Sangki Mangudadatu.

“We affirm that secession is not the answer to Mindanao’s concern. It denies our people the rights embodied by the constitution, including the destruction of our territorial integrity compromising our efforts to build a stronger nation,” dagdag na pahayag nito.

Pinanindigan niya na “the people of Mindanao are vested with rights and political choices conferred by the Constitution and law," binigyang-diin ang paninindigan sa demokrasya bilang “primary consideration” sa paggiit ng karapatan.

“In the spirit of peace and unity, we turn down any call or movement that aims to destabilize our government and eventually that would divide our nation, much the movement that would separate Mindanao with our beloved country the Philippines,” pahayag ng gobernador.

“We are for one and united Philippines,” ayon sa opisyal.

Pinagtibay naman ni Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu ang kanyang commitment sa demokrasya, "inclusivity and justice," sabay ng panawagan ng pagkakaisa at "one united Philippines".

“Mindanao’s concerns should be resolved without pursuing secession. Such division would infringe the fundamental doctrines of our Constitution. It would disrupt the interconnected productivity of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that has long sustained our national economy, and risk fracturing the foundation of our unity and national stability,” saad ni Mangudadatu.

“In the spirit of unity, let us reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democracy, inclusivity, and justice. We must move forward stronger as one undivided nation under a collective objective of stability and progress,” dagdag na pahayag nito.