Chinese vessel spotted near PH civilian ship carrying volunteers

MISSION CONTINUES Atin Ito’s third civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea, featuring a concert at sea off Palawan province, will serve as a platform for artists, musicians, and fisherfolk from different countries to come together and promote peace, cultural exchange, and regional solidarity through music and the arts. — Screengrab from Atin Ito video.

ABOARD T/S FELIX OCA, West Philippine Sea — Two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were spotted near the Philippine ship carrying Atin Ito volunteers en route to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

T/S Felix Oca’s Captain Jorge Dela Cruz made the announcement over the intercom on Tuesday morning.

Dela Cruz reported that the CCG vessels – 3306 and 21549 – were spotted 6 and 8 nautical miles away from the deck of the T/S Felix Oca.

The CCG ships were briefly visible from the Philippine vessel, which is expected to arrive near Pag-asa Island on Wednesday morning, May 28.

Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels were behind T/S Felix Oca to ensure the safety of Atin Ito’s third mission.

T/S Felix Oca was carrying volunteers, local and foreign musical artists, and media members. The musical artists are set to perform in Atin Ito’s peace concert within the vicinity of Pag-asa Island.

READ: ‘We will proceed:’ Atin Ito unfazed by looming China radio threat

Since January, Philippine authorities have been monitoring the movements of CCG vessels “unlawfully operating” within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Beijing’s continued aggression stems from its sweeping claim of sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including much of the West Philippine Sea, despite the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its claims and ruled in favor of the Philippines./mcm/abc