Tag: AFP

Statements

Lacson Rejects Claims of ‘Martial Law’ in Senate Security Inspection

What “Martial Law?”

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus rejected on Tuesday the objections and claims of “undeclared martial law” by some minority senators to the security survey and inspection (SSI) of the Senate premises by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Lacson stressed that the inspection stemmed from intelligence reports indicating a security threat to the Senate, adding that no one was exempted, not even the offices of the majority bloc members.

“Martial law? All the offices of individual senators, even including that of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, as well as those occupied by the secretariat and all other offices, were subjected to safety and security inspections to make sure that we and the Senate employees as well as the media people covering the Senate will be safe and secure from a repeat of the May 13 shooting incident and mayhem that transpired under the watch of disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano,” he said.

“Except for those of us who may be apprehensive that they may have kept or stored contraband items like firearms, explosives and drugs in their offices, those with clean consciences should all welcome instead of criticize the SSI that was conducted by the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinanggi ang Bintang na ‘Martial Law’ sa Security Inspection sa Senado

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Lacson: Those Behind ‘Destabilization’ Using 18 Maleta Boys Cannot Undermine Professionalism in AFP, PNP

Whoever may be behind a possible destabilization attempt involving the 18 “Maleta Boys” cannot undermine the professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said the uniformed services have effectively disowned and distanced themselves from the 18 ex-soldiers who claimed to have delivered cash in suitcases to certain personalities linked to the flood control scandal.

“I don’t think the AFP and uniformed services have any sympathy for the 18 Maleta Boys. They’ve been disowned by the Philippine Marines and by the AFP. So if those behind them assume that their antics would trigger something bigger and cause destabilization, I think they are wrong,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Those behind the destabilization attempts should know better than to use the 18 ex-Marines as a rallying point for our Armed Forces. They should know the members of the AFP and PNP better than how they assume they will act. Whoever is behind the destabilization moves should know them better than that,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mga Nasa Likod ng ‘Destabilization’ Gamit ang 18 ‘Maleta Boys,’ Hindi Kayang Pahinain ang Propesyonalismo ng AFP at PNP

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Lacson to Armed Services: Be Vigilant, Discerning vs Potential Destabilizers’ Tactics

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday appealed to members of the armed services to remain vigilant and discerning against unscrupulous groups that may exploit their concerns and sentiments to destabilize the government by posing as their allies.

Lacson said he is not discounting the possibility that 18 ex-soldiers who were brought into the Senate on Monday could be used as part of a broader effort to sow chaos and trigger destabilization.

“This is a call to our Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police to be discerning. Unscrupulous, power-hungry groups and destabilizers are out to take advantage of the confusion or the situation, and may seek to mislead some of our uniformed personnel,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“I am not saying our uniformed services are unprofessional. But in the middle of confusion, they may mistake unscrupulous groups for their allies,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nanawagan sa Sandatahang Lakas: Maging Mapagmatyag at Mapanuri vs Taktika ng mga Posibleng Destabilizer

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Lacson: New Senate Leadership to Address Plight of 29 AFP, 86 Foreign Service Officers Whose Confirmations were Delayed

Resolving the plight of 29 Armed Forces of the Philippines generals as well as 86 foreign service officers whose confirmations were stalled due to the recently ended Senate leadership gridlock will be one of the priorities of the new Senate leadership, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Wednesday.

Lacson said the leadership under Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian is exploring various measures, including asking Malacanang for an ad interim appointment for the affected officers, and a special session to let the Commission on Appointments confirm these.

“Naaawa kami una sa nakabinbin na confirmation na AFP officers. Kawawa sila kasi ang kanilang nomination was made when Congress was in session. Kanina lang kami nag adjourn sine die (We sympathize with the stalled confirmation of the AFP officers whose nominations were made when Congress was still in session; we just adjourned sine die this afternoon),” he said.

“Alang alang sa magigiting nating opisyal, hihiling kami sa pangulo kung pwedeng tumawag ng special session para ma-convene ang CA (For our fine officers, we will ask the President for a special session to convene the CA so their plight will be addressed),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Bagong Liderato ng Senado, Tututukan ang Kalagayan ng 29 AFP, 86 Foreign Service Officers na Naantala ang Kanilang Confirmations

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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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