Tag: West Philippine Sea

Statements

Lacson Raises Concern over ‘Homegrown’ Threats to National Sovereignty

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Saturday warned against what he described as “homegrown traitors,” or Filipinos who are willing to sell the country in exchange for personal gain.

Lacson – who has spent more than five decades in public service, almost half of which doing intelligence work – said such individuals, alongside technical intelligence, are the most common sources of information in geopolitics.

“In geopolitics, the most common sources of information are technical intelligence and homegrown traitors who are willing to sell their country in exchange for what’s in it for them. In intelligence operations, it is called ‘recruitment in place,'” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagpahayag ng Pag-aalala sa mga ‘Homegrown’ na Banta sa Pambansang Soberanya

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Lacson: Giving Up Kalayaan Islands No Different from Surrendering Entire Country

Any suggestion at “giving up” the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is no different from surrendering Luzon or even the entire country, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson reiterated that under international law, the first discovery and possession of land that “belongs to no one” – like in the case of the KIG – is a recognized mode of sovereign ownership.

“’Giving up’ the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is no different from giving up Luzon Island or the entire country. Under international law, first discovery and possession of land that belongs to no one under the legal principle of ‘res nullius’ or ‘terra nullius’ is a recognized mode of sovereign ownership. Even non-lawyers were taught this in school,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Ang Pagsuko sa Kalayaan Islands, Walang Pinagkaiba sa Pagsuko ng Buong Bansa

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‘Kalayaan Is Ours’: Lacson Grounds Philippine Claim in Legal Principle

A long-standing legal principle supports the Philippines’ ownership of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan without having to argue about the nuances of international law, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the Philippines became the owner of the KIG through a mode of acquiring territory known as discovery and effective occupation.

“Yung Spratly Islands, hindi ba si Tomas Cloma ang naka-discover nito kasi in-occupy niya? And this was formalized by the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. by way of Presidential Decree 1596 in 1978 (In the case of the Spratly Islands, wasn’t Tomas Cloma the one who discovered and occupied it? This was formalized by the late President Ferdinand Marcos by way of Presidential Decree 1596 in 1978),” Lacson said at the hearing of the CA’s Committee on National Defense.

In Filipino: Atin Ito! Ipinundar ni Lacson sa Prinsipyong Legal ang Pag-Aangkin ng Pilipinas sa Kalayaan Islands

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Lacson Lauds PH Coast Guard Maneuver, Mourns Reported Senseless Deaths in Latest WPS Incident

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday lauded the Philippine Coast Guard for its skillful maneuvering in evading two Chinese vessels off Panatag Shoal on Monday morning, but also mourned the reported senseless loss of lives on the Chinese side.

Lacson cited reports indicating at least two Chinese Coast Guard crewmembers lost their lives in a collision between China Coast Guard Vessel 3104 and People’s Liberation Army Ship 164 off Bajo de Masinloc, while chasing the BRP Suluan.

“The WPS collision between a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, while chasing a PCG vessel on a mission to resupply our fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc reportedly killed 2 CCG crew members. While we are proud of a skillful maneuver by our PCG captain, we also mourn the senseless loss of lives of the CCG personnel,” Lacson said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinuri ang PCG Maneuver Nguni’t Nagluksa sa ‘Senseless’ na Pagkamatay sa Pinakabagong Insidente sa WPS

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Ping Lacson Cites Tradition of PH Leaders Standing Up to Foreign ‘Bullies’

The Philippines has a long and proud history of leaders standing up to foreign powers to defend our sovereignty and freedom – and former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is confident this tradition will continue amid current world events.

Lacson said Philippine leaders and heroes have stood up to invaders and colonizers in the same way Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to be cowed by US President Donald Trump recently – for his people’s sake.

“I do hope and trust that our president – not just President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but all other presidents – have stood up to foreign powers during the time of the Spaniards, Japanese and Americans. They all fought for our sovereignty and freedom,” he said in Filipino, in an interview on Bombo Radyo Philippines.

“We have experienced this and I trust that regardless of who the bully is, our leaders will stand up for us,” he added.

Related: Ping Lacson: Kaya ng Mga Lider Natin na Ipagtanggol ang Bansa vs Malalakas na ‘Bully’

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