China has sent a tremendous blockading force to Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the event that the Akbayan Party's Atin Ito Coalition arrives on a civilian supply mission.
In DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja reported that the civilian mission would comprise two ships and close to a hundred boats determined to reach the shoal regardless of the blockade.
"We strongly affirm that our upcoming civilian supply mission to the West Philippine Sea is a legitimate exercise of Filipino citizens' right to movement within our own territory," Akbayan President and Atin Ito Co-Convenor Rafaela David said in a statement.
"Our mission is peaceful, based on international law and aimed at asserting our sovereign rights."
Ray Powell, a retired US Air Force colonel and director of the maritime transparency project SeaLight, reported no less than four China Coast Guard vessels and 26 huge ships will close off the civilian convoy's entry.
"The reported heavy presence of Chinese marine vessels in Bajo de Masinloc is lamentable, but not surprising," David said. "It only underscores the urgency of civilianizing the area in response to China's militarization."
"China's actions are failing to intimidate Filipinos," he claimed. "They are only uniting and inspiring us to go further in defending our rights."
David announced that Atin Ito is "undeterred" by China's "intimidation", and "shall press forward" with the mission.
The National Security Council (NSC) has called for China to refrain from impeding Atin Ito's peace and solidarity regatta in the Scarborough Shoal or from obstructing the convoy's route.
