It is dangerous to confuse speaking the loudest with speaking the ‘unequivocal’ truth.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) as conceptualized was an excellent weapon aimed at ending the longest running insurgency in the world.
Panahon na para pagkaisahin ang sambayanang Pilipino at tuldukan ang limang dekada ng rebelyon sa bansa.
Ito ang panawagan ni Senador Ping Lacson sa kanyang pagbisita sa probinsya ng Isabela kung saan nagmula ang New People’s Army (NPA) sa bayan ng Jones noong 1969.
“Dapat talaga, the Philippines deserves a better peace and order and prosperity. Dapat magkaisa-isa na tayo para ang kapayapaan at katahimikan mamayani sa ating bansa at tuloy umasenso na tayong lahat,” ani Lacson sa naganap na flag-raising ceremony sa Cauayan, Isabela.
Related: In NPA’s ‘Birthplace,’ Lacson Pushes Unity vs Insurgency
Continue reading “Ping: Limang Dekadang Rebelyon, Tuldukan Na”
It is time for the Filipino people to unite and end more than five decades of insurgency that has blighted the Philippines.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson made this call on Monday as he visited Isabela province, where the New People’s Army (NPA) was born in Jones town in 1969.
“Dapat talaga, the Philippines deserves a better peace and order and prosperity. Dapat magkaisa-isa na tayo para ang kapayapaan at katahimikan mamayani sa ating bansa at tuloy umasenso na tayong lahat (I believe the Philippines deserves a better peace and order and prosperity. We should unite so there will be peace and prosperity in our country and we can live better lives),” Lacson said at the flag-raising ceremony in Cauayan, Isabela.
Related: Ping: Limang Dekadang Rebelyon, Tuldukan Na
Continue reading “In NPA’s ‘Birthplace,’ Lacson Pushes Unity vs Insurgency”
How time flies. Some 34 years ago, ako po in-appoint ng dating Chief PC, Gen. Ramon Montaño, na maging Provincial Commander ng PC sa Isabela… Ito ang panahon noong 1988, kalakasan ng NPA noon. Katunayan nang dumating ako rito sabi ng dati kong tauhan sa PC, ang iba city councilor na ngayon, na huwag magbibiyahe papuntang Tuguegarao kasi yan ang aming regional headquarters, ng lampas alas-kwatro kasi nag-checkpoint ang NPA sa highway. Sabi ko hindi pwedeng ganon dahil tayo ang PC di ba tayo dapat ang mag-checkpoint? So ganoon binaligtad namin, lagi kaming nag-checkpoint, natigil ang checkpoint ng NPA pero malakas pa rin sila noon. Nagtataka kami bakit ang lakas ng armas dahil nagkaroon ng pagkakasundo noon after EDSA Revolution. Ni-release ang political prisoners sina Joma Sison. At nagkaroon directly or indirectly ng coalition government. Nakapasok sila. Napansin namin ang lalakas ng armas so pag nasa gobyerno ang CPP NPA lumalakas ang pwersa nila within the government bureaucracy itself.
Continue reading “Speech of Sen. Lacson: Flag-Raising Ceremony in Cauayan City, Isabela”
Isang retiradong opisyal ng Philippine Air Force na may malaking papel sa 1986 EDSA Revolution ang sumang-ayon sa pahayag ni Senador Ping Lacson laban sa “coalition government” kasama ang Communist Party of the Philippines.
Nagpahayag ng babala si retired Air Force Col. Hector Tarrazona sa kanyang sulat kay 1Sambayan convenor Antonio Carpio, matapos niyang makita ang mga kilalang komunista sa nasabing koalisyon. Aniya, ang tanging mithiin lamang ng mga ito ay ang pabagsakin ang gobyerno.
Related: ‘EDSA Hero’ Echoes Lacson Warning vs ‘Coalition Government’
Continue reading “Tinaguriang ‘EDSA Hero’, Sinuportahan ang Babala ni Ping Laban sa ‘Coalition Government’”
A retired Air Force officer who played a key role in the 1986 EDSA Revolution has echoed the concerns of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson against a “coalition government” with the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Retired Air Force Col. Hector Tarrazona made the warning in a letter to 1Sambayan convenor Antonio Carpio, after seeing “known communists, whose ultimate goal is to overthrow the government” in the coalition.
Related: Tinaguriang ‘EDSA Hero’, Sinuportahan ang Babala ni Ping Laban sa ‘Coalition Government’
Continue reading “‘EDSA Hero’ Echoes Lacson Warning vs ‘Coalition Government’”
Talagang nakababahala ang impormasyon mula sa dating cadre ng New People’s Army na may ilang mga miyembro ng legal front ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ang tila nakapag-infiltrate sa kampanya ni Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Ayon kay Senador Ping Lacson, nagtutugma ang impormasyon na sinabi ni ex-NPA cadre Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz sa mga impormasyong nakalap ng intel niya.
“Now, this is really worrisome – my intel sources being validated by Ka Eric, himself a top-ranking NPA surrenderor. Bad if their campaign is infiltrated. Worse if they are a willing partner. I’m more concerned about those who voluntarily joined their rallies but were not aware,” ani Lacson sa kanyang Twitter post nitong Miyerkules.
Related: Lacson: Ex-NPA’s Info on Campaign ‘Infiltration’ Really Worrisome
Continue reading “Ping: ‘Infiltration’ ng Mga Miyembro ng NPA sa Kampanya, Nakababahala”
Really worrisome. This was how Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson described the information from a former New People’s Army (NPA) cadre indicating that operatives of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)’s legal fronts may have “infiltrated” the campaign of Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Lacson said the pieces of information disclosed by ex-NPA cadre Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz appeared to jibe with those provided by his own intelligence sources.
“Now, this is really worrisome – my intel sources being validated by Ka Eric, himself a top-ranking NPA surrenderor. Bad if their campaign is infiltrated. Worse if they are a willing partner. I’m more concerned about those who voluntarily joined their rallies but were not aware,” Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account late Wednesday.
Related: Ping: ‘Infiltration’ ng Mga Miyembro ng NPA sa Kampanya, Nakababahala
Continue reading “Lacson: Ex-NPA’s Info on Campaign ‘Infiltration’ Really Worrisome”
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Magiging prayoridad ang digitalization at data-driven approach sa pagsasaayos ng mga lugar na nawalan na ng New People’s Army (NPA), ayon kay Senador Ping Lacson.
Para kay Lacson, hindi maaaring pabayaan ang mga barangay na “cleared” na, dahil maaaring sumali uli sa NPA ang mga residente.
“Napakaganda ng concept, ang objective ng NTF-ELCAC. Ang problema, implementation. Kailangan may barangay development program pero hindi na-implement. Kakapiraso lang,” ani Lacson sa isang press conference dito nitong Linggo.
Related: Digitalization to Have Key Role in Development of NPA-Cleared Areas Under Lacson Presidency
Continue reading “Ping: Digitalization, May Malaking Papel sa Pagsasaayos ng NPA-Cleared Areas”
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Digitalization and a data-driven approach will be prioritized in the government’s efforts to bring development to areas cleared of the New People’s Army (NPA), under the presidency of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson.
Lacson said the government cannot afford to implement poorly the development of cleared barangays, lest disgruntled residents join the NPAs again.
“Napakaganda ng concept, ang objective ng NTF-ELCAC. Ang problema, implementation. Kailangan may barangay development program pero hindi na-implement. Kakapiraso lang (The NTF-ELCAC had a very good concept and objective. But the problem was in the implementation. It should have carried out the development projects in barangays cleared of NPAs but it did not quite do so),” Lacson said at a press conference here Sunday.
Related: Ping: Digitalization, May Malaking Papel sa Pagsasaayos ng NPA-Cleared Areas
Continue reading “Digitalization to Have Key Role in Development of NPA-Cleared Areas Under Lacson Presidency”
Hindi lamang ang kasiguruhan ng bansa sa pagkain ang nanganganib sa walang habas na katiwalian sa Department of Agriculture (DA) kundi pati na rin ang pambansang seguridad.
Ito ang nakikita ni Senador Panfilo Lacson matapos na mabunyag ang mga gawain tulad ng pagpupuslit papasok sa bansa ng mga pagkain at iba pang produktong agrikultura sa kabila ng produksiyon ng mga ito buhat sa mga lokal na magsasaka.
“There is nothing more basic than food, especially in a pandemic. If corruption infects the Department of Agriculture that should be at the forefront of food security efforts, it goes beyond human conscience. Wala na. Saan pa tayo pupulutin kung ang mga walang kaluluwa walang konsensya pati pagkain ng ordinaryong Pilipino di papatawarin?” mariing pahayag ni Lacson sa panayam sa kanya ng DZBB radio.
“May kumita na sa PPE, may kumita kung saan-saan, may kumita sa smuggling. Pati ba naman itong pagkain sa hapag-kainan, titirahin pa rin?” dismayadong pahayag ng senador.
Related: Lacson Warns: Corruption at DA Threatens Food Security, National Security
Continue reading “Ping: Mga Naagrabyado sa Talamak na Katiwalian sa DA, Maaring Mahikayat ng NPA”
Mga walang kaluluwa, walang konsensya!
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson thus scored on Sunday those behind the corruption at the Department of Agriculture, who he said threaten not just the country’s food security but also national security.
“There is nothing more basic than food, especially in a pandemic. If corruption infects the Department of Agriculture that should be at the forefront of food security efforts, it goes beyond human conscience. Wala na. Saan pa tayo pupulutin kung ang mga walang kaluluwa walang konsensya pati pagkain ng ordinaryong Pilipino di papatawarin?” Lacson said in an interview on DZBB radio.
“May kumita na sa PPE, may kumita kung saan-saan, may kumita sa smuggling. Pati ba naman itong pagkain sa hapag-kainan, titirahin pa rin?” he added.
Related: Ping: Mga Naagrabyado sa Talamak na Katiwalian sa DA, Maaring Mahikayat ng NPA
Continue reading “Lacson Warns: Corruption at DA Threatens Food Security, National Security”
With its new chief’s instructions to exercise due diligence, the Armed Forces of the Philippines should do better against the threats of terrorism and insurgency, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Saturday.
Lacson said he is hopeful that with new AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana’s emphasis on tact and sensitivity, there will be no repeat of the recent gaffes especially in anti-insurgency efforts.
“I just hope Lt. Gen. Sobejana’s initial pronouncements will serve as the policy guideline for the AFP,” he said in an interview on DWIZ radio.
Continue reading “Lacson: AFP to Do Better vs Terrorism, Insurgency with New Chief’s Policies”
Kailangan na magkaroon ng panibagong kasunduan ang University of The Philippines (UP) at security sector bunga ng pagkakapawalambisa sa kasunduan noong 1989 na nagbabawal sa pagpasok ng pulis at militar sa unibersidad nang walang coordination.
Ayon kay Senador Panfilo Lacson, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, kailangang mapapanatili ang academic freedom sa loob ng “State U.”
“Once the pact is terminated, what will the security sector do? We don’t know that yet. Probably they could come to an agreement that there are boundaries to be observed,” banggit ni Lacson sa panayam ng ANC.
Related: Lacson: Boundaries Should be Observed after Ending of 1989 UP Pact
Continue reading “Ping: Panibagong ‘Pact’ sa UP at Security Sector, Dapat Buuin”
With the termination of a 1989 pact banning the entry of police and military forces without prior coordination, the security sector should come up with an agreement with the University of the Philippines on boundaries to be observed, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Tuesday.
Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense, said this is to prevent the move from negatively affecting the culture of academic freedom in the state university.
“Once the pact is terminated, what will the security sector do? We don’t know that yet. Probably they could come to an agreement that there are boundaries to be observed,” Lacson said in an interview on ANC.
Related: Ping: Panibagong ‘Pact’ sa UP at Security Sector, Dapat Buuin
Continue reading “Lacson: Boundaries Should be Observed after Ending of 1989 UP Pact”
Sumusuweldo sa gobyerno pero “sumusuporta” sa mga kalaban ng estado kahit pa nasa poder o puwesto.
Isa ito sa mga lumabas sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on National Defense na pinamumunuan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, na dinaluhan ng mg kasalukuyan at dating partylist representatives kaugnay sa red-tagging.
Ayon kay Lacson, mauunawaan niya kung nagpakita sila ng “sympathy for their cause but not their methods” tungkol sa New People’s Army.
Bagama’t maaaring itangkang pabagsakin ang pamahalaan sa mapayapang paraan tulad ng dalawang EDSA revolution, hindi katangggap-tanggap na ang mga sumusuweldo mula sa gobyerno ay hindi lamang mananahimik at sa halip ay kinukunsinti pa ang mga puwersang nais itong pabagsakin.
“Senate red-tagging inquiry: Will somebody help explain the logic of some members of Congress publicly condoning the New People’s Army that has been waging a protracted armed guerrilla warfare against the same government that employs them?” banggit ng mambabatas sa pamamagitan ng Twitter.
“I would have expected a ‘sympathy for their cause but not their methods’ response from the Makabayan bloc who attended the second red-tagging hearing yesterday. That would have been understandable and completely acceptable as a response to my question about the NPA,” dagdag ni Lacson.
Related: Lacson Questions Paradox of Lawmakers Condoning NPA’s Armed Warfare vs Government
Continue reading “Ping: May Mga Sumusuweldo sa Gobyerno, Bakit Di Kayang Tuligsain mga Kalaban ng Estado?”
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson questioned the “paradox” of lawmakers who continue to condone the New People’s Army and its armed warfare against the same government that employs them.
Lacson said that while one may attempt to bring down a government through peaceful means as institutionalized by the two EDSA “peaceful revolutions,” “something is irreconcilable” if one who gets salary from government cannot denounce atrocities against it.
“Senate red-tagging inquiry: Will somebody help explain the logic of some members of Congress publicly condoning the New People’s Army that has been waging a protracted armed guerrilla warfare against the same government that employs them?” he said in a post on his Twitter account Tuesday evening.
“I would have expected a ‘sympathy for their cause but not their methods’ response from the Makabayan bloc who attended the second red-tagging hearing yesterday. That would have been understandable and completely acceptable as a response to my question about the NPA,” he added.
Related: Ping: May Mga Sumusuweldo sa Gobyerno, Bakit Di Kayang Tuligsain mga Kalaban ng Estado?
Continue reading “Lacson Questions Paradox of Lawmakers Condoning NPA’s Armed Warfare vs Government”
In an interview on Abante Radyo Tabloidista, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* ABS-CBN franchise [30:25]
* Fake news vs Anti-Terrorism Law [37:22]
* Cops accused of violating the law [16:07]
* Dealing with COVID at home [21:20]
* DOH issues in handling COVID pandemic [24:05]
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Mensahe sa ABS-CBN; Kritiko ng Anti-Terror Law; PNP; DOH”
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on congressional actions to address the COVID-19 threat:
– Extra compensation, health insurance for front-liners
– Heavier penalties vs politicking during calamities
– Addressing economic impact of COVID-19 threat
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Extra Compensation for COVID-19 Front-Liners; Aid for Affected Areas”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on reported proposals to revive the Anti-Subversion Law; as well as on the proposed Anti-Terror Law.
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “#PingSays: On Proposals to Restore the Anti-Subversion Law | Aug. 13, 2019”
At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Sen. Lacson stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent the recruitment of students, especially minors, to the New People’s Army by its legal fronts.
“Yung point ko lang, magkaroon tayo ng proactive move para matigilan ang ultimate objective ng nagre-recruit na isali sa NPA. Pag naroon at armado na, nasa point of no return kasi pwede makasagupa ng sundalo at pulis.”
“This is (an) internal security and law enforcement problem. Balik tayo sa battle for hearts and minds.”
*****
Kailangan nang kalampagin ng Department of Justice (DOJ) ang hudikatura upang mabatid kung ano ang kinahantungan ng asuntong tumutukoy sa New People’s Army (NPA) bilang terorista.
Ginawa ni Senador Panfilo Lacson ang panawagan sa ahensiya bunga na rin ng walang humpay na panggugulo ni Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison sa gobyerno, limang dekada nang nakalipas.
“(CPP founder Jose Maria Sison) has been at it for the past 50 years. So many lives lost already. DOJ should follow up with the court the proscription case vs the NPA as a terrorist group as per Section 2 of Republic Act 9372,” bahagi ng panawagan ni Lacson sa post niya sa kanyang Twitter account.
Related: Lacson: CPP ‘Priority’ to Oust Sitting President in 2019 an Added Reason to Tag NPA as Terror Group
Continue reading “Ping: Lahat Na Lang ng Presidente Gusto Patalsikin, NPA Dapat Nang Tawaging Terorista”
The Communist Party of the Philippines’ “priority” to oust a sitting President in 2019 should be an added reason to tag the New People’s Army as a terrorist group, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Thursday.
Lacson said so many lives had already been lost in the 50 years that the CPP and its armed wing, the NPA, had been trying to overthrow the government.
“(CPP founder Jose Maria Sison) has been at it for the past 50 years. So many lives lost already. DOJ should follow up with the court the proscription case vs the NPA as a terrorist group as per Section 2 of Republic Act 9372,” Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account.
Related: Ping: Lahat Na Lang ng Presidente Gusto Patalsikin, NPA Dapat Nang Tawaging Terorista
Continue reading “Lacson: CPP ‘Priority’ to Oust Sitting President in 2019 an Added Reason to Tag NPA as Terror Group”
In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– possible pork in the 2019 budget
– agreements signed by the Philippines and China
– confirmation hearing for DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DZBB | Nov. 25, 2018”
Sen. Lacson says that with the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, security forces there will be more wary of committing possible abuses.
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On the 1-year extension of martial law in Mindanao | Dec. 13, 2017”
Sen. Lacson attended the special joint session of Congress on Dec. 13, 2017, where senators voted 14-4 in favor of extending martial law over Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2018.
More photos… Continue reading “At the Joint Session of Congress to Take Up the Extension of Martial Law in Mindanao”
In media interviews, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– security briefing at the Senate
– possible martial law extension in Mindanao
– proposed 2018 budget
Quotes from the interviews… Continue reading “#PingSays: On the 2018 budget and possible martial law extension in Mindanao | Dec. 12, 2017”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– ‘Syndicate’ at DPWH
– NPA terrorist tag
– Pork in the 2018 budget
– PNP’s new role in anti-drug war
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: ‘Syndicate’ in the DPWH, NPA terror tag, PNP role in anti-drug war | Dec. 6, 2017”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– National ID system
– NPA attacks
– impeachment matters
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On National ID, NPA attacks, and Gadon’s claims | Dec. 4, 2017”
In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– DPWH claimants named John Doe and Unknown
– Merits of removing exemptions from the VAT
– Pork-like entries in the proposed 2018 budget
– NPAs as ‘terrorist’ group
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB | Nov. 26, 2017”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Reported plan to consider the NPA as a terrorist group
– Revolutionary government
– Penalties vs hazing after Atio Castillo case
Quotes from the interview: Continue reading “#PingSays: On NPAs as terror group, PDEA initial performance, and heavier penalties in hazing | Nov. 20, 2017”
If the government can grant amnesty to political prisoners as part of goodwill efforts for peace talks with communist rebels, why not extend this to policemen and soldiers involved in anti-insurgency operations as well?
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson raised this question at a budget hearing Tuesday, where Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the chief government peace negotiator with communist rebels, was in attendance.
“Since there is a program for the grant of amnesty to political prisoners, perhaps we can include policemen and soldiers facing charges on account of participation in counterinsurgency operations,” Lacson said. Continue reading “Lacson: Why Not Grant Amnesty to Cops, Soldiers in Counter-Insurgency Ops?”
Speech at the Induction Ceremony of Masters in Public Administration Association, Inc. of Western Mindanao State University, Marcian Garden, Zamboanga City
In the life of every association – such as yours – the alpha and omegas are marked by the annual induction of officers. New leaders come in where the others go out. Predecessors give way to successors. As a matter of course. Continue reading “The President and Public Service”
