Tag: MILF

Hearings/Investigations, Videos

Sen. Lacson Chairs the Hearing for the 2021 Budgets of OPAPP, SPDA, MinDA

Sen. Lacson chaired the hearing for the 2021 budgets of the Southern Philippines Development Authority, Mindanao Development Authority, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process.

At the start of the hearing, Sen. Lacson noted all three agencies were recipients of congressional initiatives initiated by his subcommittee and eventually included in the 2020 GAA. “Unfortunately as we all know, medyo tinamaan tayo ng COVID, so ang iba nabawasan, ang iba di na-release at all.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Lacson stressed the importance of ensuring regular funding for the OPAPP’s normalization program, as part of government’s long-term commitment to the peace process. The OPAPP aims to decommission 40,000 combatants by 2022, according to OPAPP Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. “Since this is a program, dapat recurring budget ito under OPAPP because this is a long-term commitment… We cannot renege on this commitment. Otherwise sayang lang lahat na effort sa peace process natin especially with the passage of the BARMM organic act. Medyo kailangan pangatawanan natin ito,” Sen. Lacson said.

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In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DWIZ | Jan. 19, 2019

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– need for transparency in the bicameral conference committee on the 2019 budget
– DBM Sec. Diokno’s claim that deleting P75B from DPWH budget may harm economy
– US NGO’s claim that PH is a ‘war zone in disguise’
– Sri Lankan president’s reported intent to ‘copy” PH war vs drugs
– ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and efforts to reach out to Nur Misuari
– Sen. Pacquiao’s bout vs Adrien Broner

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | Jan. 19, 2019” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: Tens of billions in taxpayers’ money lost to right-of-way mess, ‘food crisis’, bombings | Sept. 3, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– mulitbillion-peso wastage of taxpayers’ money due to RROW issues
– need for government to shift focus to the economy
– possible food crisis
– on Pagcor action on PH offshore gambling operations
– recent bombings

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: Tens of billions in taxpayers’ money lost to right-of-way mess, ‘food crisis’, bombings | Sept. 3, 2018” →

In the News, PingBills, Statements

BOL at martial law, ‘di garantiya vs karahasan sa Mindanao

Hindi uubra para masawata ang karahasan sa Mindanao ang napapabalitang pagpapalawig pa sa implementasyon ng martial law at maging ang kakasabatas pa lamang na Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Ito ang naging tugon ni Senador at dating Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Panfilo Lacson na kasalukuyan din na Chairman ng Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs nang tanungin siya ng mga mamamahayag sa Senado tungkol sa naturang usapin.

“The recent bombing incident in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat suggests that neither martial law nor the Bangsamoro Organic Law could guarantee peace in Mindanao,” banggit ni Lacson.

Related:
On the bombing incident in Sultan Kudarat
Lacson Bill Gives Government Stronger Teeth vs Terrorism
Continue reading “BOL at martial law, ‘di garantiya vs karahasan sa Mindanao” →

PingBills, Statements

Lacson Bill Gives Government Stronger Teeth vs Terrorism

The government may soon gain a much-needed boost in its fight against terrorism, with a bill filed by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson.

Senate Bill 1956, the proposed “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2018,” enhances the Human Security Act of 2007 with provisions on foreign terrorists and additional predicate crimes.

“While an anti-terror law in itself cannot solve the problem of terrorism, an intensified one can however give the government and the law enforcement agencies the much-needed tool in dealing with the emerging threats of terrorism,” said Lacson, who headed the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001 and who played a key role in crafting the Human Security Act of 2007 (Republic Act 9372).

Related:
On the bombing incident in Sultan Kudarat
BOL at martial law, ‘di garantiya vs karahasan sa Mindanao
Continue reading “Lacson Bill Gives Government Stronger Teeth vs Terrorism” →

In the News, PingBills, Statements

On the Bombing Incident in Sultan Kudarat

It only suggests that neither martial law nor the Bangsamoro Organic Law could guarantee peace in Mindanao. Instead, it is my view that the National Security Council and our ground security forces should take a hard look at their security plans and strategy, especially in the South, and try to avert the vicious cycle of talking peace with one tribal group while alienating the others.

Thus, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front came into being and developed themselves into the dominant armed force in Mindanao after we dealt peace with the Moro National Liberation Front.  As it may be shaping now, as we make peace with the MILF, a breakaway group is sowing terror.

Having said that, I filed a Senate bill to enhance the Human Security Act of 2007, which has not been proving itself effective in addressing terrorism in our country.

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Statements

On the Newly-Signed Bangsamoro Organic Law

The Bangsamoro Organic Law is not perfect, but is a big leap towards peace in Mindanao. Or so we hope. Much credit goes to President Duterte and his strong political will in this regard.

I would have wanted the creation of two sub-regions under one Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. I have in fact suggested that to the President in one of our small group meetings in Malacanang. It is my view that we could do away with the possible breakaway factions from the Tausog and other ethnic groups from the Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan group of islands.

We should learn from history when the Maguindanaoans and Maranaws and others from Central Mindanao broke away and formed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) when the central government talked peace with Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

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Statements

Vicious Cycle Calls for All-Out War vs MILF

Citing the vicious cycle of “rogues” committing abuses and hiding in Moro Islamic Liberation Front “territories,” Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Sunday maintained his stance of scrapping a deceit-laced peace process with the secessionist group.  Continue reading “Vicious Cycle Calls for All-Out War vs MILF” →

Statements

To PNP, AFP: Shift to Proactive Stance to Stop MILF Threat

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson called on the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Tuesday to take a proactive approach in preventing a repeat of the Bloody Monday attack by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.  Continue reading “To PNP, AFP: Shift to Proactive Stance to Stop MILF Threat” →

Statements

GRP-MILF Ancestral Domain Deal Doomed Before Signing

Even before it could be formally signed in Malaysia on Tuesday, the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is already as good as doomed, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Monday.  Continue reading “GRP-MILF Ancestral Domain Deal Doomed Before Signing” →