Outrage, tears as Chinese ships shadow ‘Christmas convoy’

SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE Philippine Coast Guard personnel on Monday collect food and other supplies carried by ML Chowee (background), the only boat which evaded Chinese ships that hounded a civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea on Sunday. The provisions were intended for troops guarding Lawak (Nanshan) Island in the Spratlys. —AFP/ATIN ITO COALITION

ABOARD TS KAPITAN FELIX OCA—Expressions of worry that crossed the faces of the people gathered for Holy Mass on the deck of this vessel prompted Fr. Robert Reyes to stop his homily that Sunday afternoon.

Murmurs of concern among the members of the “Atin Ito” (This Is Ours) Coalition and journalists aboard this ship which led the flotilla grew louder as the China Coast Guard (CCG) ship which they saw earlier seemingly changing its course was now sailing toward their vessel instead.

The Mass was interrupted as the group hurriedly convened to decide what to do next.

The group was navigating the waters of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on their way to Lawak (Nanshan) Island to spread the Christmas cheer by delivering presents to Filipino soldiers stationed there.

But the movement of the CCG ship prompted Capt. Jorge de la Cruz to abort their mission. Their vessel turned around and returned to El Nido port in Palawan province.

Constant shadowing

About 200 members of the coalition joined that trip on Dec. 10. Many of them said they were more outraged than scared by the aggression of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters.

“What happened was something not to be afraid of, but it was saddening not being able to totally complete the voyage and not being able to get in touch with the people who were waiting for us,” a teary-eyed KC Esguerra of Akbayan Youth told the Inquirer.

The Kapitan Felix Oca was almost halfway in its voyage when at 3:40 p.m. it encountered a People’s Liberation Army Navy warship, with bow number 173, coming from the opposite direction, some 24 kilometers (13 nautical miles) from Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

Another Chinese warship appeared a few minutes later and was followed by CCG 5305, which closed in at 4.6 km (2.5 nautical miles) toward the Atin Ito vessel.

“Erring on the side of caution and in consultation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), we 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,” Akbayan party president Rafaela David, coconvener of Atin Ito and point person aboard the ship, said in a statement on Monday.

Palawan’s cause

But the mission was not a total failure, as ML Chowee, another vessel transporting the Christmas presents, made it to Lawak Island in the Spratlys, one of the intended stops, at 5 a.m. on Monday, delivering the Christmas goods to the delight of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard personnel on the island.

Soc Bansuela of farmers’ group Pambansang Kilusan ng Samahang Magsasaka said “there seemed to be something missing in the affirmation of the Filipino’s rights over the territory. But at least, we were able to show the world how these guys are bullying us and we felt that it was not that easy.”

But Joaquin Ortega, who led youth group Palawan Patriots for Peace and Progress in that mission, said he felt a sense of defeat when it was aborted.

“They blocked us because they knew the significance of our message that we could affirm our rights as citizens of the Philippines,” he said.

He also pointed out that “Palaweños should be at the forefront of the fight for our rights in the West Philippine Sea, uniting Filipinos to support efforts by the government and civil society organizations.”

“Our beloved island province is at the forefront of this national issue since most of the administered islands and features are within our jurisdiction in the municipality of Kalayaan,” he said.

MASS AT SEA Catholic priest Robert Reyes celebrates a Holy Mass aboard TS Kapitan Felix Oca midway to the journey of the civilian-led “Christmas convoy” to Lawak (Nanshan) Island in the Spratlys. —GERALDFORD TICKE

Reyes would affirm that point. Known as the “running priest” for jogging in protest against political and environmental issues affecting the country, Reyes settled in Palawan for a quieter life in 2012.

He said Sunday’s events may have opened up new ways of understanding Filipinos’ sovereign rights over their own seas.

‘Taking the lead’

David said the Christmas convoy was just the beginning of their advocacy.

“It was a courageous journey that we took. We wanted to see and assert our claim to the West Philippine Sea because we believe, and it is clear to the world, that it is ours, so this mission does not end here and we will continue with that stand,” she said.

“For the first time in our history, civil society is taking the lead in a civilian supply mission to the West Philippine Sea. We are all proud pioneers of this effort, laying the blueprint for more civilian missions in the future,” she added.

Fr. Alfredo Raymund Camacho said joining the mission was itself an important decision for those like himself who took part. While Atin Ito was not able to complete that mission, God had other plans, he said.

“He will make things beautiful in his time. We are not warriors, we do not have the weapons, but this move is already a sign that we as Filipinos can be united as one,” Camacho added. INQ