West PH Sea: 2 China ships still shadowing Atin Ito convoy en route to Pag-asa

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 Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels are still shadowing the Philippine civilian ship and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels en route to Pag-asa Island, according to training ship (T/S) Felix Oca captain Jorge Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz said that CCG vessel 21549 continues to shadow the Felix Oca, while CCG 3306 is tailing the PCG’s BRP Melchora Aquino.

“Around five nautical miles,” he said when asked how far CCG vessel 21549 is from T/S Felix Oca.

READ: ‘Atin Ito’ sails to Pag-asa in latest mission

The captain also disclosed that the convoy was expected to arrive at Pag-asa Island on Wednesday afternoon and is currently 40 nautical miles from the location.

Upon arrival, Dela Cruz said T/S Felix Oca will maintain a distance of 5 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island. The civilian ship is carrying Atin Ito volunteers, local and foreign musical artists, and media members.

On Tuesday morning, Dela Cruz announced the sighting of two CCG vessels. At that time, the civilian ship was about 40 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan.

READ: Chinese vessel spotted near PH civilian ship carrying volunteers

Minutes later, one of the CCG vessels issued a radio challenge or warning to the T/S Felix Oca and PCG ships.

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

Beijing’s ongoing aggression is rooted in its broad claim of sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including much of the West Philippine Sea, and its continued rejection of the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its claims and favored Manila. /dl/abc