MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson refuted claims by Senator Rodante Marcoleta denying that Tomas Cloma discovered the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.

During a Committee on National Defense hearing, Marcoleta questioned Cloma’s role in the discovery of the islands. Lacson countered by citing historical records from the official website of Kalayaan municipality in Palawan, showing that Cloma formally took possession of the previously uninhabited islands in 1956.

“Merong hindi pa rin maka move on kay Tomas Cloma. So, eto ang historical facts para matahimik sa rin sa himlayan niya si Tomas Cloma (Some people still cannot move on from Tomas Cloma. Here are the historical facts, so Cloma can be left alone to rest in peace),” Lacson said.

According to Lacson, Cloma issued a “Notice to the Whole World” on May 15, 1956, asserting ownership over 33 features in the Spratly Islands. On July 6 of the same year, Cloma established a separate government for the “Free Territory of Freedomland,” with its capital on Flat Island (Patag Island). By the 1970s, Cloma formally ceded his claim to the Philippine government for P1.

“This paved the way for President Ferdinand Marcos to officially establish the Municipality of Kalayaan under Presidential Decree No. 1596 in 1978,” Lacson said.

He also noted the geopolitical significance of Cloma’s actions, which were strongly opposed by Taiwan—then occupying Itu Aba—and China, but provided a foundation for the Philippines’ claim to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.

“This is the historical record and the basis of our country’s claim,” Lacson said, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging Cloma’s role.