ATIN ITO, the coalition that led the Christmas convoy in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), announced their return to El Nido, Palawan after the monitored shadowing of four Chinese vessels on Sunday, Dec. 10.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, Akbayan, among the groups part of ATIN ITO, said the decision to return was consulted with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“Erring on the side of caution, ATIN ITO, in consultation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), agreed to return to El Nido, Palawan after the constant shadowing of four Chinese vessels, comprised of two Chinese Navy ships, one Chinese Coast Guard vessel, and one Chinese cargo ship," it said.
In a separate statement, Akbayan detailed that the four Chinese vessels shadowed their ship, TS Kapitan Felix Oca, from "the south of Kayumanggi Bank on its way to Lawak Island to drop off supplies to fishers and frontliners" at around 3:40 pm.
"One of the most dangerous moments occurred when a fast-moving Chinese Coast Guard ship reportedly intersected with the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP Melchora Aquino," it said.
But despite China's reported moves, the political party said ATIN ITO deemed the Christmas convoy a " significant accomplishment" for being the "first ever civilian-led supply mission" in the WPS.
The shadowing on ATIN ITO's Christmas convoy coincided with the reported water cannoning of the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels on Saturday, Dec. 9, and against Philippine Coast Guard vessels on Sunday, Dec. 10.
ATIN ITO initiated the civilian supply mission to honor fisherfolks and front liners and assert the Philippine sovereign rights.
Over 200 fishermen, youth leaders, and civil society groups reportedly joined the mission. They were onboard on 40 Philippine vessels which began sailing on Sunday morning.
The civilian-led convoy was supposedly end on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
