MANILA, Philippines — Civil society coalition Atin Ito on Thursday announced plans to mount its fourth civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea next month, aiming to deliver aid to residents of Pag-asa Island and highlight concerns over maritime security and the challenges facing Filipino fisherfolk.
The mission, dubbed “Balik Pag-asa,” will travel to Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group in April, coalition leaders said during a press briefing in Quezon City.
“We, from Atin Ito, today announce our fourth civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea this April carrying the theme ‘Balik Pag-asa,’” said Rafaela David, co-convenor of the Atin Ito coalition.
READ: West Philippine Sea Atin Ito mission: Crewman recalls first sight of Chinese threat
David said the trip would respond to what organizers described as three pressing issues: rising fuel prices affecting fishing communities, concerns over alleged Chinese espionage activities, and continued tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
“Our mission will deliver much-needed supplies to West Philippine Sea fisherfolk and communities, particularly fuel and food assistance,” David said, noting that rising oil prices have severely affected small fishing communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.
Atin Ito previously organized three civilian supply missions to the West Philippine Sea, mobilizing volunteers and donations to support Filipino communities operating in contested waters.
Edicio dela Torre, another co-convenor of the coalition, said the initiative also aims to encourage civilian presence in the area.
“The presence of ordinary Filipino citizens—fishers, youth, civil society leaders and volunteers—is one of the most powerful ways to respond to China’s militarization of the area,” Dela Torre said in the same briefing.
He added that civilian missions demonstrate that the country’s seas are “not zones of secrecy or intimidation but spaces where Filipinos can freely live, travel and work.”
READ: Another civilian West PH Sea mission expected ‘this summer’
Lawmakers belonging to the so-called “West Philippine Sea bloc” in the House of Representatives attended the announcement, including Chel Diokno, Percival Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula.
Pag-asa Island is the largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Kalayaan Island Group. It is home to over 500 residents.
Organizers said the mission would also assert the Philippines’ claim over the Kalayaan Island Group.
“No intimidation or disinformation campaign can erase the fact that these waters and islands belong to the Filipino people,” David said.
Ahead of the trip, the coalition said it would hold a West Philippine Sea town hall meeting on March 23 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, bringing together lawmakers, fisherfolk groups, youth organizations and civil society representatives to discuss concerns affecting communities in the disputed waters.
Further details about the mission’s schedule, participants and logistics are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. /cb
The post Atin Ito set to sail 4th civilian mission to Pag-asa Island in April appeared first on Inquirer.net.
