Gov’t to send vessels in WPS to ensure safety of Atin Ito convoy

The government is sending vessels to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to ensure the safety of the participants of Atin Ito Coalition’s third civilian mission in the area from May 26 to 30. — File Photo. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The government is sending vessels to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to ensure the safety of the participants of Atin Ito Coalition’s third civilian mission in the area set from May 26 to 30.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela made the pronouncement on Thursday following reports that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel harassed two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources marine scientific research vessels in the WPS.

“The Atin Ito expedition is not initiated by the government. I just have to be very clear on that. This is not an operation led by the government. But on the side of the Philippine government, we are going to send 197-meter and 44-meter vessels to ensure the safety of those who will be joining,” Tarriela told reporters.

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

“We understand that a lot of media outlets will also be on board to join the Atin Ito convoy. So on our part for the Philippine government, we’re just there to ensure the safety and security of those who will be attending,” he added.

As part of the mission, the coalition said a peace concert will be conducted in Palawan and the West Philippine Sea, featuring renowned Filipino and international artists.

According to the schedule presented by Atin Ito Coalition convenor Rafaela 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.

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.

READ: Atin Ito Panatag trip is about access to WPS

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.