Tag: AFP

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Lacson: ‘Military-Backed People Power’ Plot Exists but Likely Doomed to Fail

Some groups are reportedly trying to seek support from members of the uniformed services for a possible military-backed “people power revolution” amid the controversies involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte – but such efforts are not likely to succeed, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said he received information indicating that some “retired officers” are trying to recruit support from within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“There is definitely an attempt but this is outside the AFP. Those behind this could only recruit a few, if at all, from inside the AFP. My contacts in the Philippine National Police say there is no indication this ‘movement’ will snowball. But definitely there is an attempt, mostly by retired officers,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: May Binabalak na ‘Military-Backed People Power’ pero Malamang Mabibigo

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Lacson on Government Infra Program Corruption: Who is Not Guilty?

With corruption running deep in the government’s infrastructure program – from flood control projects to farm-to-market roads, among others – it may now be easier to count those who are not guilty than those who are, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson lamented Thursday.

Lacson said this after he and his staff reviewed “classified” documents of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which he had flagged earlier for systematic anomalies in substandard and ghost flood control programs.

“Reviewing the piles of ‘classified’ DPWH documents which I shared with my staff, we all wondered aloud if the more appropriate question to ask is, ‘Who is not?’ rather than, ‘Who is guilty?’. So sad to realize how widely corrupt our government infrastructure program has gone,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson sa Katiwalian sa Infra Program ng Gobyerno: Sino ang Hindi Nagkasala?

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Ping Lacson Bill Updates, Expands Anti-Wiretapping Act to Cover Coups, Drugs, Money Laundering

Philippine authorities will get the much-needed added teeth to go against crimes including coup d’etat, robbery in band, highway robbery, drug-related offenses and money laundering, once a bill filed by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is passed into law.

Lacson said that while wiretapping has been an effective tool against such “exceptional” crimes that pose a grave threat to our nation’s security, these are not covered under the present law.

“Unfortunately, there are still certain crimes that are not covered under the said exceptional cases, which put not only the lives and property of our people in paramount danger, but also pose a grave threat to our nation’s security. The peace and order situation in the country gives testament to this fact, and thus, it is imperative to revisit RA 4200 to further enhance its effectiveness,” he said in his bill titled “An Act Expanding the Scope and Coverage of Republic Act No. 4200 Otherwise Known as an Act to Prohibit and Penalize Wiretapping and Other Related Violations of the Privacy and Communication, and for Other Purposes.”

In Filipino: Panukala ni Ping Lacson, Palalakasin at Palalawakin ang Anti-Wiretapping Act Para Sakupin ang Kudeta, Droga, Money Laundering

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Ping Lacson to Authorities: Recover and Return Ransom Money in Anson Que Kidnap-Slay

Authorities must not only recover – but also return – the ransom money in the kidnap-slay of Chinese Filipino trader Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo, former Senator and Philippine National Police Chief and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Tuesday.

Lacson said this will further help the PNP regain the trust and confidence of the public, especially the Chinese Filipino community.

He also pointed out the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) will have a key role in this since the ransom payment in recent cases has become more sophisticated and involves e-wallets.

“Recovering even a portion of the ransom money and returning the same to the victim’s family will further help the PNP regain the trust and confidence of the public,” he said on his X account.

“If you don’t recover the ransom money, yet you have arrested the suspects, what will the victim’s family and the Chinese Filipino community think? Where is the ransom money? There should be ransom recovered since you arrested the suspects,” he added in Filipino, in television interviews on One News and NET25.

Related: Ping Lacson sa Awtoridad: Bawiin at Isauli ang Ransom Money sa Anson Que Kidnap-Slay

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Ping Lacson: Filipinos in Taiwan Must Prepare for Possible Invasion

ANTIPOLO CITY – Filipinos in Taiwan must do their part to prepare for a possible invasion by China, former Senator and 2025 senatorial bet Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner was right in telling troops of the Northern Luzon Command to prepare for a Taiwan invasion contingency.

“Gen. Brawner is right in telling the AFP to prepare. Who else can implement the evacuation plan other than those who have the equipment and capability to evacuate or at least protect our fellow Filipinos there?” he said in Filipino at the press conference of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate here.

Related: Ping Lacson: Pilipino sa Taiwan, Dapat Humanda sa Posibleng Invasion

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