Two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels—bearing hull numbers 3306 and 21549—were spotted trailing the Atin Ito civilian mission ship in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday, May 27.
The shadowing was observed as the MV Kapitan Felix Oca, which was carrying Filipino civilian groups, sailed 54 nautical miles off the coast of El Nido, Palawan.
Amid the encounter, the foreign coast guard vessels made radio contact with the Atin Ito vessel.
“You have entered the area under the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China," the Chinese vessel radioed — a challenge that was immediately responded to by the Filipino crew with their own radio message.
Last night, the first of two concerts under the third Atin Ito mission took place, featuring performances by Ebe Dancel, Noel Cabangon, and other local and foreign artists.
Over 100 individuals aboard the MV Kapitan Felix Oca are sailing toward the vicinity of Pag-asa Island for another concert in the West Philippine Sea.
Scheduled from May 26 to 30, the musical voyage will gather Filipino and international artists, fisherfolk, and civil society leaders for a lineup of events focused on cultural and artistic expression.
This initiative further promotes the message of peace and cooperation in the West Philippine Sea—an area often at the center of maritime territorial issues.
Previously, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its Western and Northern Commands, were placed on alert in case their assistance was needed for the Atin Ito civilian mission.
