Atin Ito ship arrives in Palawan for 3rd civilian mission in WPS

M/V Kapitan Felix Oca — Photo from Atin Ito/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The ship set to carry out a civilian mission led by the Atin Ito Coalition arrived in the vicinity of El Nido, Palawan on Monday morning, marking a key step in the group’s third initiative in the West Philippine Sea.

M/V Felix Oca, the vessel carrying Atin Ito volunteers and some journalists, arrived at 9:34 a.m. in El Nido, according to the coalition. The ship left Manila early Sunday morning.

Atin Ito is scheduled to hold a pre-departure musical event in Palawan before leaving the province for the general vicinity of Pagasa Island around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, for a sea concert.

On May 16, 2024, the coalition carried out its second civilian mission. That same day, its 10-member advance team arrived 25 to 30 nautical miles from the general vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc and successfully breached China’s then-illegal blockade.

READ: Atin Ito volunteers gear up for 3rd civilian mission in WPS

The team delivered vital supplies, including 1,000 liters of diesel and 200 food packs, to Filipino fishers operating in the area, despite being closely shadowed by a Chinese Navy vessel bearing hull number 175.

Atin Ito distributed the supplies to 144 Filipino fishers aboard six mother boats and 36 smaller fishing vessels.

Atin Ito conducted its first supply mission in 2023, when one of its resupply boats successfully evaded Chinese vessels and reached Lawak Island on Dec. 11.