AROUND 100 boats departed from Zambales early Wednesday morning for Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to distribute provisions to fishermen and assert rights to the disputed waterway.
Atin Ito Coalition, organizer of the civilian mission, said they will install symbolic markers or buoys within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The primary objectives of the mission are to conduct a ‘peace and solidarity regatta’ within our EEZ, during which symbolic markers/buoys emblazoned with the rallying cry ‘WPS, Atin Ito!’ will be placed to reinforce our country’s territorial integrity,” Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan president Rafaela David earlier said.
Aside from this, Atin Ito also plans to deliver essential supplies like fuel to Filipino fishermen in the area.
In a statement on Wednesday, David said the civilian supply mission comprises five commercial fishing vessels and 100 smaller fishing boats.
David said the group was undeterred by reports of a “heavy presence” of Chinese vessels near the shoal.
Around 200 volunteers including the crew are on board the five commercial vessels, while another 100 fishers are on the smaller boats.
The trip to the waters around Bajo de Masinloc comes two weeks after China Coast Guard vessels fired water cannon at boats by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the same area.
