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WPS civilian convoy to reach Panatag today
By Nidz Godino
"Atin Ito is now in EEZ and has successfully deployed symbolic buoys, markers bearing message: WPS, Atin Ito! Atin Ito's main civilian boats are now distributing supplies … to Filipino fishers in our EEZ," organizers led by Akbayan Party announced Atin Ito Coalition's second civilian supply mission to West Philippine Sea is expected to reach Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal today, where China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels have reportedly set up blockade to stop convoy from reaching its main destination.
At least three Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels have been deployed to monitor activity along with Philippine Navy warship also in the area at an undisclosed location and distance.
Earlier convoy led by five small civilian boats successfully reached waters outside 12-nautical-mile territorial waters of the Philippines and planted buoys within country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Mission also distributed food, fuel and other supplies to some 100 fishing boats joined first phase of trip to Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.
"Hundred small fish boats will go back to Masinloc…five civilian boats will continue to go near vicinity of BdM for second round of supply distribution… where things could get 'interesting'," Atin Ito said.
Early in its civilian supply mission to WPS, coalition has executed its three main objectives "conducting peace and solidarity regatta comprised of five civilian marine vessels and 100 small fishing boats in our EEZ, placing symbolic buoys,markers… and completing first round of distributing supplies…"
Group did not identify where these activities were held.
"Atin Ito contingent will now proceed to second phase of its voyage, aiming to reach vicinity of Panatag Shoal for another round of supply distribution to Filipino fisherfolk in the area," organizers announced.
Atin Ito has also already achieved victory in battle of narratives, saying "China's narrative has significantly faltered."
"It is running very bad script…when superpower deploys fleet of military vessels to act as goalkeeper in shoal it has no authority over, against group of wooden fishing boats manned by Filipino civilians, it is unmistakably exposed as aggressor, usurper and illegal occupant," Akbayan president and Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David said.
Edicio dela Torre of Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement echoed same sentiments, stating "persistent aggression displayed by China in West Philippine Sea only highlights its lack of legitimate claim…our mission is testament to resilience and rightful assertion of our sovereignty by Filipino people."
Around 200 volunteers, including crew, are on board five commercial vessels, and another 100 fishers command smaller boats.
Atin Ito said this second civilian supply mission is joined by New Masinloc Fishermen's Associations, Subic Commercial Fishing Association Inc., Mabayo Agri Aqua Association in Bataan, Pambansang Katipunan ng Samahan sa Kanayunan, Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, Center for Agrarian Reform, Empowerment and Transformation, Akbayan Youth and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.
Late yesterday afternoon, Atin Ito said two CCG vessels started shadowing convoy, with one approaching at distance of only one nautical mile.
Organizers said PCG's BRP Bagacay is protecting civilian boats and exchanged radio challenges with Chinese vessel 50 nautical miles from Panatag Shoal.
Atin Ito said first CCG vessel had bow number 4109 while second appeared and approached later had bow number 4108.
"Atin Ito contingent will continue with its course… Atin Ito will still proceed with its voyage," organizers updating media through Viber said.
Two more PCG vessels are providing escort to Atin Ito Coalition's civilian mission to Bajo de Masinloc, PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said.
Balilo said their 24-meter patrol boats BRP Panglao and BRP Boracay will join BRP Bagacay in escorting civilian convoy that would distribute supplies to fishermen and lay down symbolic markers.
"BRP Boracay is in Subic already, while BRP Panglao is already on its way to the area…these are 24-meter patrol boats fast and with excellent maneuverability," Balilo said.
Upon orders of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG aircraft would also follow fleet, he added.
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David asked public to pray for safety of those who joined Atin Ito civilian mission.
"Let us accompany civilian supply mission to West Philippine Sea with our prayers…let us pray to the Lord that no untoward incident happens to fleet of five civilian marine vessels and 100 small fishing boats that are presently navigating their way through our exclusive economic zone to deliver fuel and food supplies to our fisherfolk in the vicinity of Panatag Shoal," said David.
"Stubborn civilian presence instead of joint military show-of-force is indeed peaceful, nonviolent approach to this conflict… good test case of civilian supremacy over military, which is essential in true democracy, better way to express our unity as nation and assert our sovereignty towards China without succumbing to demands of warmongers who are eager to involve us in violent proxy war that would only benefit major arms industries," he said.
Speaking on behalf of National Task Force for WPS, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela praised civilian initiative by Atin Ito Coalition, its second since last December.
"In the eyes of National Task Force for West Philippine Sea, this is good sign... because of our transparency initiative started last year, activities like Atin Ito signify there are members of civil society that support our position," Tarriela said at press conference.
He reiterated that convoy was "not sanctioned by national government," contrary to what he alleged was information from Chinese authorities.
Tarriela maintained Philippines would never wage war against China, but instead assert its sovereignty as guaranteed by EEZ and 2016 arbitral award.
Tarriela also slammed Chinese publication accused Filipinos of polluting the area.
According to post on X by Global Times, "China's national English language newspaper, under People's Daily," Filipino fishermen "engaged in uncivilized behaviors spitting, urinating, dumping garbage on and around China's Huangyan Dao, caused pollution to marine environment in South China Sea."
Global Times also posted videos showed alleged Filipino fisherfolk smoking and peeing on their boats, as well as throwing trash.
"I won't also lie that even ordinary people in the pier, we can see this behavior of our Filipino fishermen... compared with crushed corals Chinese are dumping in entire South China Sea, compared to harvesting of giant clams and destruction of corals to create artificial islands, what's Filipino peeing compared to what they are doing?" he asserted.
Tarriela maintained China could be overreacting to what he thought was petty issue in West Philippine Sea.
He also reported 31 days since PCG's biggest patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua was sent to Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, China's efforts to dump more crushed corals in the area ceased.
Amid continuing aggression of Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking to reform and reorganize PCG.
Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 2650 seeking to repeal Republic Act 9993, also known as Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009, and replace it with Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law.
The senator said gaps in organizational structure, administration and ensuring personnel welfare have negatively impacted PCG operations.
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