Tag: South China Sea

Ping: Pilipinas, Dapat Mas Magpursigi Para Ganap na Maipanalo ang WPS

Image: CTTO

Limang taon matapos na maipanalo ang karapatan sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) sa Permanent Court of Arbitration sa The Hague, kailangan ng Pilipinas na lalo pang diinan ang pakikipaglaban nito para maging ganap ang tagumpay sa pag-angkin sa naturang lugar.

Ipinahayag ito ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, kasabay ng pagsasabing malaki pa ang kailangang gawin ng Pilipinas dahil patuloy pa rin ang presensiya ng Tsina sa lugar.

“Whatever we have done, or have failed to do, and what we must continue to pursue as part of our prerogatives as a law-abiding, democratic, and sovereign nation under this administration – unfortunately – has accrued little to our ‘accumulated advantage’ in the South China Sea and in the context of Philippine-China relations. On the contrary, we may have done very little in stemming the tide of an increasing Chinese footprint into the ASEAN region’s foreign policy, economy, and security,” paliwanag ng mambabatas.

“Thus, let us see this day for what it truly is: Commemorating a hard-won battle, but a victory still incomplete. We must, therefore, press on to complete the victory,” dagdag ni Lacson.

Read in ENGLISH: Lacson: PH Must Push On to Complete the Victory in WPS
Continue reading “Ping: Pilipinas, Dapat Mas Magpursigi Para Ganap na Maipanalo ang WPS”

Lacson: PH Must Push On to Complete the Victory in WPS

Image: CTTO

Five years after its triumph over China in the West Philippine Sea before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Philippines must continue pushing to complete the victory, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, said much remains to be done amid China’s increasing presence in the Southeast Asian region.

“Whatever we have done, or have failed to do, and what we must continue to pursue as part of our prerogatives as a law-abiding, democratic, and sovereign nation under this administration – unfortunately – has accrued little to our ‘accumulated advantage’ in the South China Sea and in the context of Philippine-China relations. On the contrary, we may have done very little in stemming the tide of an increasing Chinese footprint into the ASEAN region’s foreign policy, economy, and security,” Lacson said.

“Thus, let us see this day for what it truly is: Commemorating a hard-won battle, but a victory still incomplete. We must, therefore, press on to complete the victory,” he added.

Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping: Pilipinas, Dapat Mas Magpursigi Para Ganap na Maipanalo ang WPS
Continue reading “Lacson: PH Must Push On to Complete the Victory in WPS”

Ping: Mas Tumibay na US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty, Pambalanse sa Situwasyon sa South China Sea

Mas magkakaroon ng balance of power sa South China Sea ngayong higit na pinahalagahan ng bagong administrasyon ng Estados Unidos ang US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty.

Ito ang nakikita ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, bunga na rin ng komunikasyon sa pagitan ni Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. at US State Secretary Antony Blinken.

“There you go. The US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty is one yet untapped weapon in our arsenal. I certainly hope we do not draw that weapon. Meantime, we might as well keep it there,” banggit ni Lacson sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Twitter account matapos ang pagpupulong nina Locsin at Blinken.

Related: Lacson: ‘Reaffirmed’ US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty to Maintain Balance of Power in South China Sea
Continue reading “Ping: Mas Tumibay na US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty, Pambalanse sa Situwasyon sa South China Sea”

Lacson: ‘Reaffirmed’ US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty to Maintain Balance of Power in South China Sea

With the importance placed on it by the Biden administration, the US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty will help maintain the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific – including in the South China Sea, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson, who heads the Senate’s Committee on National Defense and Security, said this after State Secretary Antony Blinken spoke with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

“There you go. The US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty is one yet untapped weapon in our arsenal. I certainly hope we do not draw that weapon. Meantime, we might as well keep it there,” he said on his Twitter account.

Related: Ping: Mas Tumibay na US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty, Pambalanse sa Situwasyon sa South China Sea
Continue reading “Lacson: ‘Reaffirmed’ US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty to Maintain Balance of Power in South China Sea”

On the President’s Affirmation of the Philippines’ Arbitral Victory over China before the United Nations

‘Alipin’ no more! Hearing the President invoke the Award before the UN General Assembly while firmly rejecting any attempt to undermine it should now erase doubts on where he stands regarding the West Philippine Sea issue.

Filipinos from both sides of the political aisle should feel proud hearing the President express his strong and unequivocal position on the WPS issue. His statement should erase all doubts on where he stands.

More importantly, I hope that China heard the President’s message loud and clear.

*****

On DFA Sec. Locsin’s Plan to Recommend Terminating PH Govt Contracts with Chinese Firms in SCS Reclamation Activities

Screengrab: CNN Philippines Facebook page

Kudos to DFA Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin for putting the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in his place. Banning us from sending our military aircraft into airspace near Panatag Shoal surely deserves a strong rebuke. I’m proud that our top foreign policy implementor did it.

Indeed, it’s long in coming by way of a statement from our DFA secretary. China’s display of arrogance by accusing us of infringing on its sovereignty and security by sending military aircraft into airspace adjacent to Panatag Shoal/Bajo de Masinloc, urging the Philippines to immediately stop illegal provocations, tops it all.

*****

Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Senate Hearing on Chinese Incursions, Revisiting Anti-Graft Laws | Aug. 20, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Senate hearing into Chinese ships’ incursions
– revisiting anti-graft laws

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Senate Hearing on Chinese Incursions, Revisiting Anti-Graft Laws | Aug. 20, 2019”

Interview on DZBB/GNTV: National Dignity in UN-HRC Resolution and WPS Issues | July 14, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– national dignity factor in UN-HRC resolution on killings
– ‘double standard’ in UN, WPS issues?
– reported claim that VP Robredo’s stand on UN-HRC resolution is a ground for impeachment

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: National Dignity in UN-HRC Resolution and WPS Issues | July 14, 2019”

📰 Editorial Cartoon, BusinessMirror | July 4, 2019

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Related: On the Reported Verbal Agreement Allowing CN Fishermen in PH EEZ

On the Reported Verbal Agreement Allowing CN Fishermen in PH EEZ

duterte-xi-straits times
Image courtesy: Straits Times

A verbal agreement between President Duterte and President Xi is what it is – a verbal agreement. Is that verbal agreement already part of our national policy? Is it being carried out? It is my humble view that it is not. Why? There is no showing that the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as the Department of National Defense are implementing that so-called verbal agreement.

In fact, on occasion, the two frontline agencies have expressed different views. Having said that, we will be better off to just leave it at that.

Maybe our problem is, we have a spokesman who talks more than he should. He telegraphs every move and every plan that the executive has on issues that need a little diligence and study.

*****

Letter to the Editor: On Rey Arcilla’s column [Malaya Business Insight]

letter to the editor

To Malaya Business Insight: This refers to the column of former ambassador and Dean Reynaldo Arcilla, where he tried to inject political color into Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson’s recent statements on the Recto Bank incident at the West Philippine Sea.

Continue reading “Letter to the Editor: On Rey Arcilla’s column [Malaya Business Insight]”

Interview on DZBB/GMA News TV: WPS Issue a Matter of Nationalism | June 30, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Nationalism amid West Philippine Sea row
– On possibly bigger graft case at PhilHealth
– Corruption at the Bureau of Customs

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GMA News TV: WPS Issue a Matter of Nationalism | June 30, 2019”

WPS: Opinions, Decisions on the Mutual Defense Treaty

rectobank

On the Mutual Defense Treaty, while my opinion is different from the President’s, it doesn’t matter much which one is right or wrong; it is who is making the decision which in this case, obviously, he is the one.

As for me, I always express my opinion on what I think is right, not when it is popular. In some people’s minds, highly partisan as they are, that is lack of conviction.

*****

On the President’s Stance on the West Philippine Sea Issue

wps-googlemaps
Image: Google Maps

It is a good development that the President has subsequently corrected himself by saying that he cannot prevent incursions of foreign fishing vessels within the Exclusive Economic Zone because even if he wants to, we don’t have the capability nor the capacity to do it, not to mention that the arbitral ruling is unenforceable in the first place; and that the Philippines merely exercises sovereign right, not sovereignty over the areas within the EEZ. I agree with the President in this regard. Having said that, to allow is not the same as not being able to prevent.

Further, calling on the United States – with whom we have a Mutual Defense Treaty – and other western allies to help check China in the WPS is proper given the prevailing circumstances, contrary to some narrow-minded critics that such move is a sure formula for war.

On the other hand, maintaining the balance of power in the WPS will prevent rather that ignite war. Why? No two superpowers would go to war in this day and age of nuclear technology for the simple reason of its ‘zero-sum’ outcome.

*****

Interview on DZBB: China’s ‘Cabbage Strategy’ in the West PH Sea | June 24, 2019

In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– China’s ‘cabbage strategy’ in the West Philippine Sea
– potential issues surrounding ‘joint investigation’ of Recto Bank incident

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB: China’s ‘Cabbage Strategy’ in the West PH Sea | June 24, 2019”

On the Issue of a Joint Investigation into the Recto Bank Incident

gemver1
Image courtesy: CTTO

The 2016 Hague ruling expressly states that Recto Bank is part of the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and therefore cannot be claimed by China. Having said that, allowing a joint investigation with China and a third party may be interpreted as a waiver of our sovereign rights over Recto Bank.

While the intention of this administration may be laudable in trying to preserve our country’s bilateral relations with China, presumably for political and economic reasons in order to uplift the living standards of our people, we should also consider the more important issue of sovereign rights as expressed in the arbitral ruling.

At the very least, that must be clearly addressed during the conduct of the joint investigation.

*****

Interview on DZMM: MDT to Prevent, Not Trigger War; Former SFA in HK | June 21, 2019

In an interview on DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Mutual Defense Treaty to prevent, not trigger war
– former SFA del Rosario in Hong Kong

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZMM: MDT to Prevent, Not Trigger War; Former SFA in HK | June 21, 2019”

Interview on DZRH: ‘Conflict of Interest’ at PhilHealth | June 20, 2019

In an interview on DZRH, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– DOH Sec Duque’s possible conflict of interest
– need for ‘overhaul’ at PhilHealth
– 22 fishermen abandoned by Chinese crew at West PH Sea
– Senate independence in the 18th Congress

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZRH: ‘Conflict of Interest’ at PhilHealth | June 20, 2019”

Kapihan sa Senado forum | June 19, 2019

At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– irregularities involving the PhilHealth board and Chairman Francisco Duque III
– maritime ‘hit-and-run’ at the West Philippine Sea
– dealing with ‘critics’

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Quotes from the forum…
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | June 19, 2019”

#PingSays: On China’s Maritime Hit-and-Run: ‘We were tested…’ | June 18, 2019

Could the sinking of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea last June 9 have been a ‘test’? Did the Philippines pass or fail?

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “#PingSays: On China’s Maritime Hit-and-Run: ‘We were tested…’ | June 18, 2019”

Interview on CNN Philippines: Maritime ‘Hit-and-Run’ at West Philippine Sea; New Irregularity at PhilHealth | June 18, 2019

In an interview on CNN Philippines, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– President Duterte’s take on the ‘hit-and-run’ at the West Philippine Sea
– newly discovered irregularity involving the PhilHealth board

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on CNN Philippines: Maritime ‘Hit-and-Run’ at West Philippine Sea; New Irregularity at PhilHealth | June 18, 2019”

Interview on DWIZ | May 19, 2018

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Senate leadership changes
– quo warranto and impeachment trial matters
– developments in the West Philippine Sea

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | May 19, 2018”

On the ‘Militarization’ in the West Philippine Sea

I support the call for the Senate to investigate the issue. Any serious matter that has security implications on our country, the Senate should step in and exercise our oversight function.

If up to now, the government still has not confirmed the presence of a foreign country’s missiles in one of our islands, we may have a serious national security problem. Convening the National Security Council is the least that we should do, given the situation.

*****

#PingSays: On Cabinet walkouts and Philippines becoming a province of China | Feb. 20, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– President Duterte’s reported statement he will let Cabinet members walk out of congressional hearings if they feel disrespected
– President Duterte’s reported joke of making Philippines a province of China

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On Cabinet walkouts and Philippines becoming a province of China | Feb. 20, 2018”

#PingTweets: On the USS Carl Vinson’s presence in the West Philippine Sea

tweet0216-vinson

The US Embassy in Manila said the USS Carl Vinson is in the West Philippine Sea area to conduct “routine maritime operations, promote freedom of navigation, and work with partners and allies to enhance regional security and stability.” Philippine officials led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea visited the supercarrier earlier this month.

Related:
Carl Vinson Strike Group Arrives in Manila
PH, US officials visit USS Carl Vinson
On recent activities by China in the region

#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”