By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Undaunted by the possibility of being harassed by China, the 100-boat civilian mission led by Atin Ito coalition will proceed on May 15 to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with the military expressing its support through ensuring its safety.
This was announced on Friday (3 May 2024) by Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan Party president Rafaela David who said the Atin Ito coalition is “not intimidated by China’s latest act of violence and harassment” despite China’s recent water cannon attacks in Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.
“Hindi tayo nagpapatinag. We’re like plants watered by adversity – thriving, not just surviving. Parang halamang dinidiligan ng tubig, lalo lamang namumulaklak ang ating pagkakaisa para ipaglaban ang WPS,” David stressed.
Atin Ito plans to deliver essential supplies like fuel to Filipino fishermen in the area.
It can be recalled that in 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected.
“China’s water cannon attacks in the West Philippine Sea is a broken philosophy. They are not getting the desired results. On the contrary, they only nourish Filipino resolve in the WPS,” the Akbayan lady president added.
For his part, Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military supports and will help in the civilian mission through monitoring for its safety.
Atin Ito coalition said participating in the mission are two main civilian boats escorted by 100 small fishing vessels that will set sail from Zambales.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that international observers were also invited to join the mission to document the situation in the WPS and witness the challenges faced by Filipino fishermen and frontliners.
(el Amigo/MNM)
