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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson says this Marcos strategy keeps China in check

Lacson says this Marcos strategy keeps China in check

Published Feb 20, 2025 02:38 pm

At A Glance

  • DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental--Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has credited President Marcos for successfully keeping regional power China in check.

20250220_223433.jpgPanfilo "Ping" Lacson (leftl), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental--Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has credited President Marcos for successfully keeping regional power China in check.

In a press conference here Thursday, Feb. 20, Lacson hailed the Chief Executive's strategy with China, which the former senator dubbed "balance of power".

Essentially, it's the act of consolidating support from other, more powerful nations on the Philippines' position in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"One thing the President did that I support, is that he allied with other countries that are as militarily strong if not stronger than China. This is what I have been espousing--the balance of power," he said in Filipino.

Lacson said these nations include the United States (US), Canada, Japan, Australia, and some countries in Europe.

Tension in the WPS between the Philippines and China are arguably at their highest.

The WPS is contained within the South China Sea, which Beijing claims in its entirety--even reaching up to coast of other countries. But in July 2016, the Philippine government was awarded a favorable ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which invalidated China’s expansive claims.

Lacson reiterated his full support for President Marcos' policy of the Philippines not surrendering "not even an inch" of our territory.

The former senator said that a "potent weapon in the country's arsenal" is its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the US.

"I hope it doesn't get triggered. That's why we need a balance of power so that instead of inviting war, we prevent the war because China would have to think 10 times" before invading or assaulting a public or Philippine navy vessel," he explained.

Related Tags

panfilo ping lacson West Philippine Sea (WPS) Mutual Defense Treaty matalinong boto 2025 President Marcos
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