Tag: West Philippine Sea

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Lacson Vows Budgetary Support for AFP Drone Capability Development

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday pledged budgetary support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to develop drone capabilities for national defense, especially against external aggression.

Lacson gave the assurance to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, noting that drones could provide the Philippines with a more practical and affordable defense capability compared to more expensive platforms such as warships and long-range missiles.

“I just want to find out (some details para) pagdating ng budget deliberations we can support the program, meron talaga kayong tangible program para mag-develop ng drones. Kasi ito lang ang pwede nating panlaban considering our situation (I just want to find out some details so that when we start budget deliberations, we can support the program if you have a tangible program to develop drones. Drones are the only practical option we have against external aggression, considering our situation),” he said at the confirmation hearing of AFP officials at the Commission on Appointments.

“I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships and long-range missiles and the like. Meron ba tayong programa sa development ng drones, in case may external aggression? At least may laban man lang tayo maski wala tayong pera (I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships or acquire long-range missiles and the like. Do we have a program to develop drones against external aggression? At least we have a fighting chance even if we don’t have enough funds),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nangako ng Suporta sa Badyet para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Drone Capability ng AFP

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Lacson: China’s Depiction of Filipinos as ‘Monkeys’ Reflects on Its Character

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson condemned China’s depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in an AI-generated video, saying the racist portrayal reflects more on China’s character than on the Filipino people.

“Kung unggoy ang turing nila sa mga Pilipino, ano sila kung pag-uugali at karakter ang batayan (If China considers Filipinos as monkeys, then what does it say about its character)?” he said.

China Daily, a state-run media outlet, published the AI-generated video concerning the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award – among other content belittling the Philippines and the Arbitral Award.

In Filipino: Lacson sa China: Kung Unggoy ang Turing Nila sa mga Pilipino, Ano Sila?

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Lacson Backs Joint Oil, Gas Exploration with China, With 60-40 Safeguard

Citing ongoing risks to global oil supply due to the conflict in the Middle East, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday the Marcos administration should consider exploring joint energy ventures with China, including in the West Philippine Sea.

Lacson, however, stressed that any such arrangement must strictly comply with the 60-40 foreign ownership provision under the Philippine Constitution.

“Yes. Four-square behind, sinusuportahan ko. Kasi sayang eh. Yayaman tayo doon (Yes. I am supporting this, I’m four-square behind it. There is so much potential. We can benefit greatly from it),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio, when asked if the Marcos administration should consider joint exploration.

In Filipino: Lacson, Suportado ang Joint Oil at Gas Exploration sa China, na may 60-40 Safeguard

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Lacson: Pray that the World Will Survive ‘Trump-26’

We survived Covid-19. Now we must pray to survive Trump-26.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said this on Wednesday as Filipinos continue to face economic difficulties due to the conflict in the Middle East, which he said is due in large part to Trump’s “whimsical arrogance in treating even the US’ long time allies.”

“Only a few years ago, we outlived the coronavirus, also known as Covid-19. Pray that the world will survive Trump-26,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Manalangin na Maligtas ang Mundo sa ‘Trump-26’

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Lacson Thanks Cloma Descendant for Ancestor’s Discovering, Occupying, Owning, Donating KIG to PH

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday thanked a descendant of trader Tomas Cloma for her ancestor’s role in discovering, occupying and eventually donating the Kalayaan Island Group to the Philippines.

Lacson particularly extended his thanks through Col. Jacquelyn Cloma, one of the military officers whose promotion was up for confirmation before the Commission on Appointments (CA) – and whose husband is the great-grandson of the KIG’s discoverer.

“Please extend my regards and I’d like to thank him on behalf of his lolo-sa-tuhod, Tomas Cloma, for discovering and occupying and owning and donating to the Philippine government the Kalayaan Island Group,” he said at the confirmation hearing of the CA’s committee on defense.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagpasalamat sa Inapo ni Cloma sa Papel ng Ninuno sa Pagtuklas at Pag-angkin ng KIG para sa PH

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