Atin Ito volunteer in West PH Sea convoy sees crisis up close

Regis Serviano, a photojournalist of Sapang Palay National High School’s student publication The Pillar, joins Atin Ito’s third civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea. — Photo by Faith Argosino/INQUIRER.net

ABOARD T/S FELIX OCA, West Philippine Sea — Armed only with a camera and a willingness to raise awareness on the West Philippine Sea, Regis Serviano joined Atin Ito’s civilian mission for the first time as a volunteer and a student journalist.

Serviano is one of the 17 student volunteers and members of Akbayan Youth, who boarded the training ship (T/S) Felix Oca to participate in Atin Ito’s third mission and sea concerts in El Nido, Palawan, and Pag-asa Island, an island municipality governed by the Philippines but also being claimed by China.

The ship carried members of media as well as local and foreign music artists from neighboring countries including Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Echoing the coalition’s objective, Serviano expressed her desire for peace between the Philippines and its neighboring countries, especially China — to benefit Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, which is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Earlier, Akbayan party list president and Atin Ito convener Rafaela David described the sea concerts as a “love song” for the West Philippine Sea and those who protect it. She emphasized the coalition’s “highlighting and amplifying those who are affected,” specifically Filipino fishermen who are “bearing the brunt” of China’s aggression in the region.

Beyond these concerts, Atin Ito also planned to distribute free fuel for fisherfolk on Pag-asa Island.

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

Serviano is a 12th-grade student serving as a photojournalist in Sapang Palay National High School’s student publication The Pillar. Aside from witnessing West Philippine Sea-related issues firsthand, the student said she joined Akbayan Youth this year due to the influence of her grandmother, who was also a member of the group during her teenage years.

“The campaign of fishermen about the West Philippine Sea enticed me to join since we know that China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea affects them,” she told INQUIRER.net in an interview.

As of this writing, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels are tailing T/S Felix Oca and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels en route to Pag-asa Island. One CCG vessel even issued a radio challenge against the Philippine vessels on Tuesday morning (May 27).

Asked about this, Serviano said she feels “mixed emotions, leaning towards fear” that the CCG vessels might get too close to the Atin Ito convoy.

“The feeling of fear is there since we all know and have seen videos that China usually fires water cannon against Philippine vessels. But I want to see how we will respond if that happens,” she said.

Although she wanted the Philippines to fight for its territory, Serviano said the government should prioritize the needs of the fisherfolk affected by China’s continued aggression within the Philippines’ EEZ.

“As a student journalist, I wanted the government to take action and address the needs of the fishermen since they contribute to our supply of fish. They should always check on them, hear their side, and support them,” she said.

For aspiring campus journalists like her, Serviano’s message was for them to use their voice for the benefit of the country.

“I want to inform them that we also have a voice and that they should also volunteer in initiatives like this to be informed,” she said. /tsb/das