Tag: West Philippine Sea

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Ping: Malaking Problema Kung Biro at Pagsiseryoso ng Pangulo, ‘di na Matukoy

Hindi nakakatuwa ang “pagbibiro” ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para sa mamamayang Pilipino, lalo na sa mahalagang isyu tulad ng teritoryo natin sa West Philippine Sea.

Ito ang naging tugon ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa pagsasalita ng Pangulo sa publiko nitong Lunes ng gabi, kung saan ay sinabi nitong nagbibiro lamang siya nang sabihin noong 2016 na siya ay magdi-jetski patungo sa Spratlys.

“It’s very hard to read his mind. He may be sending mixed signals such that we don’t know if he’s serious or joking. His spokesperson would say he is joking, but there are times he seems serious in his statements. We don’t know anymore. We have a very big problem in our hands,” banggit ni Lacson sa panayam ng ANC.

Related: Lacson: President’s ‘Joking’ Statements No Laughing Matter
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Lacson: President’s ‘Joking’ Statements No Laughing Matter

What President Rodrigo Duterte may consider a “joke” could be no laughing matter for Filipinos especially when it involves key issues like our territory in the West Philippine Sea, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this after the President said Monday night that he was only joking when he said during the 2016 campaign that he would ride a jet ski to the Spratlys.

“It’s very hard to read his mind. He may be sending mixed signals such that we don’t know if he’s serious or joking. His spokesperson would say he is joking, but there are times he seems serious in his statements. We don’t know anymore. We have a very big problem in our hands,” Lacson said in an interview on ANC.

“When he addresses the nation, we don’t know when he is joking or serious. Is it up to us to understand which is which? It’s really hard for Filipinos,” he added.

Related: Ping: Malaking Problema Kung Biro at Pagsiseryoso ng Pangulo, ‘di na MatukoyPing: Hindi Biro ang Mga Pahayag ng Pangulo
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Lacson: Palace Risking More Damage with ‘Damage Control’ Overkill on WPS Debate Issue

Image Courtesy: CNN Philippines

The more Malacañang tries damage control in the West Philippine Sea debate issue, the more it risks additional damage while worsening the deep political division in the country, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said there is no point for raising further issues since the debate between President Rodrigo Duterte and former Justice Antonio Carpio will no longer push through.

“If you try doing too much damage control and it becomes obvious, you just risk more damage. The issue is finished, there is no more debate,” he said in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“A piece of unsolicited advice to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque or those in Malacanang: It is better to just stay quiet. After all, the debate won’t push through,” he added.

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On the Prospective WPS Debate between the President and former Justice Carpio

First, a public debate is always healthy in a democratic environment – as long as it is limited to the issue at hand, and does not go down to the gutter level.

On one hand, a question comes to mind: What do we gain from the debate, assuming that it pushes through? One other dire outcome is further divisiveness that only China will benefit from.

I could almost imagine the anticipated excitement on the part of the Chinese while watching all these developments as they continue to be busy surveying more shoals within our exclusive economic zone that they can build more garrisons to pursue their expansionist agenda in the West Philippines Sea.

That said, the hype surrounding the debate should not distract us into allowing the Chinese to sneak into our territory while we argue among ourselves. That would be the last thing we need for our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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Ping, Sumaludo sa Pagbabantay ng AFP, PCG sa WPS

Image: CTTO

Matapos matagumpay na maitaboy palayo sa Sabina Shoal sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) ang ilang barko ng Chinese militia, ipinaabot ni Senate Committee on National Defense Chairman Panfilo Lacson ang pagsaludo sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Kasabay ng pagsaludo at paghanga, umaasa si Lacson na itutuloy-tuloy ng dalawang puwersa ng pamahalaan ang masigasig na pagbabantay sa mga bahagi ng WPS na lehitimong pag-aari ng Pilipinas.

Ayon sa senador, kailangang dapat na palaging alerto at listo ang puwersa ng PCG at AFP na nakatalagang magbantay sa mga bahaging pag-aari ng Pilipinas upang hindi sila masalisihan dahil hindi malayong pumasok ang mga dayuhan kapag sila ay nakalingat.

“We must not let our guard down. Since the 1990s, China has already made three incursions into our exclusive economic zone (EEZ): Mischief Reef, Scarborough Shoal, and now, Julian Felipe Reef. They are likely to do so again if we relax,” pahayag ni Lacson.

Related: Lacson to AFP, Coast Guard: Keep Up the Good Work at WPS
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