Lacson raises Philippine flags on Pag-asa Island amid West Philippine Sea tensions

Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday raised Philippine flags during his visit to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea amid Chinese actions against Philippine vessels.

Lacson visited Pag-asa Island and Puerto Princesa City for a consultation with residents and a meeting with the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WesCom).

Also present during his visit were former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar, spokesperson Ashley “Ace” Acedillo, as well as former Interior Secretary and National Unity Party Chairman Ronaldo Puno.

Lacson led the flag-raising ceremony, with the Philippine national anthem being played, during a brief morning program that was held as soon as they landed on Pag-asa.

Acedillo said three Philippine flags were raised there by the senator to replace the old one in the municipality.

Earlier this week, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said China Coast Guard vessels blocked and used water cannons on two Philippine ships that were on their way to the Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

China on Thursday said its coast guard upheld its sovereignty when the Philippine vessels intruded into what it claimed were its waters.

Both Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III joined other government officials in strongly condemning the attack, saying that “the Philippines should not be pushed over in its own territories.”

“Sarili na nga nating teritoryo, tayo pa ‘yung tinataboy, wina-water cannon. Napakasamang pangitain ‘yon,” Lacson told reporters last Thursday.

(We are in our territory, but we're being pushed around, water cannoned. That’s a very bad omen.)

Livelihood programs for locals

Lacson meanwhile vowed to boost the livelihood programs for the residents and fishermen situated in the tension-filled areas.

“Sa ngayon wala pang 200 kasi yung inhabitants doon eh sa Kalayaan Municipality so even without asking the inhabitants there of course fisherfolk ang tinamaan eh lagi silang threatened pero yung beyond yung livelihood doon mismo sa Pagasa,” he said in a press briefing during his visit in Pag-asa Island.

(So far there are less than 200 inhabitants there in Kalayaan Municipality so even without asking the inhabitants there, of course, fisherfolk were the most affected and threatened and the livelihood there in Pag-asa.)

“Dapat talaga pag ukulan ng pansin ng gobyerno kailangan talaga natin kung pwede ipopulate natin yung lugar na ‘yun eh at yung iba pa nga kung may mga nearby islands para ma-expand yung possession,” he added.

(The government should work on this. If we can populate that area and the other nearby islands to ensure our possession of the area.)

Lacson also urged the Philippine government to strengthen alliances with the other foreign states to help in the Philippine claims in the West Philippine Sea.

“Kanina kausap namin yung pinaka head parang namumuno ng fisherfolk doon ang daing nila nabawasan talaga yung livelihood nila doon dahil sa security concerns sabi ko nga para malayang makapangisda ang mga kababayan doon babalik at babalik tayo doon hindi natin kayang mag isa so hingi tayo ng tulong sa malalakas na bansa,” he said.

(Earlier we talked to the head of the fisherfolk there, they complained that their livelihood was threatened due to security concerns. The people there can fish freely if we will always return there and we need the support of other foreign states.)

He earlier said the Philippines should stop being a “pushover” over the territorial dispute.

Meanwhile, Lacson argued that while there was a bilateral trade relationship with China, the relationship needed to be different when national security and the disputed areas were involved.

“We always maintain our bilateral relations with China mostly sa trade, meron pag uusap na ginagawa kaya lang iba yung aspeto ng national security. Sabi niya dapat non-negotiable dahil pag sa atin atin talaga yan sarili nating teritoryo yan pagwinater cannon ka parang hindi naman maganda,” he added.

(There is a conversation going on but in the aspect of national security it is different. It should be non-negotiable because it is ours. We really have our own territory, and being blocked and using water cannons, it doesn't look good.)

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, following a case filed by the Philippines, invalidated China's sweeping claims over the waters. Beijing did not recognize the ruling. — DVM, GMA News