THE recent statements of former president Rodrigo Duterte about establishing an independent state of Mindanao have roused many speculators (and even experts) to revisit many aspects of the already complicated past and present of Mindanao.

The historical injustices and inequalities have again been put to the fore as those people, either for or against, articulated their points on why Mindanao should or should not secede from the Philippines. In fact, some officials even called on law enforcers to look out for possible seditious conduct or pronouncements by those pushing for independence in Mindanao.