MANILA: A Philippine Navy (PN) ship is in close contact with the civilian group “Atin Ito Coalition,’ which is heading to the Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to hold a “peace and solidarity regatta,” a Navy official said Tuesday.
“Without giving details on the distances, yes,” PN spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, said in a message when asked if the Navy would deploy assets to monitor the proceedings.
He declined to give further details due to security reasons.
Earlier reports claimed that a sizable number of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels were gathering near the Bajo de Masinloc to block the civilian convoy.
Trinidad added that the Philippine Coast Guard would also watch over the flotilla in line with its mandate of “safety of lives at sea.”
The “Atin Ito Coalition” earlier said its flotilla would consist of two large civilian ships and 100 bancas and that it would sail to Bajo de Masinloc from Tuesday to Friday
.
Aside from installing markers and buoys in the general area of Bajo de Masinloc, participants will also distribute food and fuel to Filipino fishermen in the area.
“We would like to commend ‘Atin Ito’ organizers. This is civil society showing that they understand the issue. It is not only a government approach but a whole-of-nation approach. China should respect civil society in exercising Philippine rights,” Trinidad said.
In an interview with Radyo5, ‘Atin Ito Coalition’ convenor Edicio Dela Torre said the group is all set for the mission.
“Gusto lang namin ipakitang karapatan nating tumulong sa kapwa natin Pilipino sa sarili nating karagatan (We want to show that it is our right to help our fellow Filipinos within our waters),” he added.
Dela Torre said they would take the necessary precautions in carrying out the mission.
Source: Philippines News Agency
