Tough and reassuring. This was how former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson described the reply of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to China’s urging the Philippines to return the Typhon missile system to the United States.
Lacson noted President Marcos’ stance to return the Typhon missiles if China stopped harassing Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea at least left some space for possible talks between the two countries.
But Lacson also reiterated his call for the Philippines and its allies to maintain a “balance of power” in the West Philippine Sea to deter aggressive actions from China.
Related: Ping Lacson, Iginiit ang Balance of Power Bukod sa ‘Nakakapanatag’ na Tugon ng Pangulo sa Tsina sa WPS, Typhon
“Having come from the security sector in my previous life – I refer to my previous careers as an intelligence officer and law enforcer, as well as a senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security – hearing some toughness from the president’s statement in upholding our sovereignty over the territorial waters in the WPS while leaving some space for possible talks with China is reassuring, to say the least,” said Lacson.
Earlier, Mr. Marcos proposed a “deal” with China where the Philippines would accommodate its call to return the Typhon missiles to the US – if China stopped harassing Filipino fishermen, ramming Philippine boats, and other aggressive and coercive behavior.
The President was quoted as saying that if China stops its harassment, he will send the missiles back.
Lacson also said he does not see the need to convene the National Security Council over the matter at least for now, “because the situation does not call for it.”
“This is simply an exchange of words that expresses PBBM’s sentiment over an issue that has not developed into a diplomatic crisis between the Philippines and China,” he said.
But while he said there is little chance of war brewing in the region for now, the Philippines must maintain a balance of power in the West Philippine Sea area, in alliance with its more militarily powerful allies.
“We should project and actually rely on maintaining the “balance of power” in the WPS in alliance with the more militarily powerful countries like the US, Japan, Australia and other western countries whose interests in preserving the sea lanes for commercial and other purposes are aligned with our own national interest,” he said.
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Ping Lacson, Iginiit ang Balance of Power Bukod sa ‘Nakakapanatag’ na Tugon ng Pangulo sa Tsina sa WPS, Typhon
Matatag at nakakapanatag. Ito ang paglarawan ni dating Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa tugon ni Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sa pag-udyok ng Tsina na isauli ang Typhon missile system sa Estados UNIDOs.
Ani Lacson, ang pag-giit ng Pangulo sa Tsina na ibabalik ng Pilipinas ang missile system sa US kung tinigilan ng Tsina ang pag-harass ng Pilipino sa West Philippine Sea ay may tinirang puwang para sa pag-usap ng dalawang bansa.
Nguni’t idiniin din ni Lacson ang panawagan niya sa Pilipinas at ang kaalyado nitong bansa na mapanatili ang “balance of power” sa WPS para pigilan ang mga agresibong galaw ng Tsina.
“Having come from the security sector in my previous life – I refer to my previous careers as an intelligence officer and law enforcer, as well as a senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security – hearing some toughness from the president’s statement in upholding our sovereignty over the territorial waters in the WPS while leaving some space for possible talks with China is reassuring, to say the least,” ani Lacson.
Nagmungkahi ang Pangulo sa Tsina na papayag ang Pilipinas sa panawagan nitong isauli ang Typhon missile system sa US kung titigilan ng Tsina ang panggigipit sa mangingisdang Pilipino, pagbangga ng barko ng Pilipinas, at ang iba pang agresibong aksyon.
Samantala, hindi nakikita ni Lacson na kailangang i-convene the National Security Council sa ngayon, “because the situation does not call for it.”
“This is simply an exchange of words that expresses PBBM’s sentiment over an issue that has not developed into a diplomatic crisis between the Philippines and China,” aniya.
Nguni’t idiniin ni Lacson na bagama’t maliit ang tsansa ng giyera sa rehiyon, kailangan pa ring manatili ng balance of power sa West Philippine Sea ang Pilipinas at ang mga “militarily powerful allies” nito.
“We should project and actually rely on maintaining the “balance of power” in the WPS in alliance with the more militarily powerful countries like the US, Japan, Australia and other western countries whose interests in preserving the sea lanes for commercial and other purposes are aligned with our own national interest,” aniya.
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Coming from a true and reliable statesman….a truly patriotic statesman. – Remo Manuel