#PingSays: On the row over China’s renaming of Benham Rise features | Feb. 14, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions regarding China’s reported naming of some features of Benham Rise, and how the Philippines can address this.

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On the row over China’s renaming of Benham Rise features | Feb. 14, 2018”

#PingSays: On calls to look into President Duterte’s bank accounts, and China’s reported buildup in the South China Sea | Feb. 5, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– calls to look into President Duterte’s bank accounts
– China’s reported buildup in the South China Sea

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On calls to look into President Duterte’s bank accounts, and China’s reported buildup in the South China Sea | Feb. 5, 2018”

On the Territorial Issue with China

President Duterte is wrong about the power and influence of international pressure on China. Studies show that arbitral rulings are normally defied if not ignored by losing claimants of contested territories, albeit temporarily. In the course of time, these countries almost always eventually give up and comply with the ruling due to international pressure. We should not miss the ASEAN summit to avail ourselves with that opportunity, lest we would regret it.

He may be correct, though, that decided disputes cannot be resolved militarily, even assuming that we can match China’s military hardware and troops. The same studies say as much.

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On China’s Offer of Weapons while Continuing to Fortify Defense Facilities in Our Islands

We can’t be too dumb not to realize that while China offers us weapons, they continue fortifying their defense facilities in our islands.

There should be an in-depth analysis and thorough discussion among our top national security advisers and other security experts before any decision is arrived at, not to mention any action to be undertaken concerning major foreign policy matters.

The issues involved here have far-reaching implications to our people and our country’s future generations. Not one man, even if he is the president and commander-in-chief, has the monopoly of wisdom and knowledge concerning issues of this magnitude and proportion.

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