West PH Sea: Atin Ito’s third civilian mission set for May 26 to 30

The Atin Ito Coalition brought gifts to personnel stationed at BRP Sierra Madre and other maritime features in the West Philippine Sea. INQUIRER.net/Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — The Atin Ito Coalition will conduct its third civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea from May 26 to 30.

Coalition convenors Ed Dela Torre and Rafaela David announced this on Thursday, adding that the mission will include a concert featuring renowned Filipino and international artists.

“The mission includes a sunset musical event at the jump-off point in El Nido, Palawan; dialogue sessions and cultural exchanges; and a concert performance in the exclusive economic zone near Pag-asa Island,” David’s presentation during the press conference showed.

“This sea concert will bring together artists, musicians, fisherfolk, and civil society leaders from the Philippines and neighboring countries to promote peace, dialogue, and cultural exchange,” Dela Torre said.

According to David, their initiative also aims to “uplift coastal communities by amplifying the lived experiences and aspirations of our fisherfolk, and to foster regional harmony through shared cultural and maritime narratives.”

“We will sail not with warships, but with songs; not with hostility, but with harmony and solidarity,” David explained.

According to the schedule presented by David to the media, the civilian ship T/S Felix Oca will depart Manila for El Nido, Palawan at 6 a.m. on May 25. It is expected to arrive the following day, coinciding with the arrival of artists participating in the peace concert that afternoon.

Expected performers at the El Nido concert include Filipino musical artist Ebe Dancel, all-women rock band Rouge, rap collective Morobeats, and P-pop group HORIZON. They will be joined by Japanese artist Fumi, Indonesian and Malaysian musicians Viona and Kai Mata, and South Korean K-pop girl group I:Mond.

On May 16, 2024, Atin Ito’s 10-member advance team reached a point 25 to 30 nautical miles from the general vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, successfully breaching what was then described as China’s illegal blockade

The team delivered essential provisions, including fuel and food, to Filipino fishers in the area. Despite being closely shadowed by a Chinese Navy vessel bearing hull number 175, they successfully distributed 1,000 liters of diesel and 200 food packs.

Atin Ito distributed the supplies to 144 Filipino fishers in six mother boats and 36 small fishing boats.

The first supply mission of Atin Ito was conducted in 2023, during which one of their resupply boats managed to get past Chinese vessels and reach Lawak Island on December 11 of the same year./mcm