PCG sends 2 more vessels to secure Scarborough Shoal convoy

PREPARING TO SAIL Some of the boats that will be used by “Atin Ito” Coalition for its “peace and solidarity” mission to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc are being prepared at the fish port in Subic, Zambales, on Monday. Organizers say 100 civilian fishing boats are expected to join the voyage on May 15 despite reports that Chinese vessels will try to block them. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has dispatched two more vessels to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of the civilian convoy going to the area amid the presence of the Chinese coast guard and their militia vessels.

Earlier, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela revealed their plan to send more troops to monitor the voyage organized by the “Atin Ito” (This is Ours) Coalition after deploying the 44-meter vessel BRP Bagacay and an aircraft.

READ: Atin Ito voyage has fulfilled its main goals in Panatag Shoal – Akbayan

When asked about this, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said two additional vessels are already on their way to the Bajo de Masinloc as of Wednesday afternoon.

“BRP Boracay is in Subic already. BRP Panglao is already on the way there. These are 24-meter patrol boats. Fast and with excellent maneuverability,” Balilo told reporters in a Viber message.

The civilian convoy left for Scarborough Shoal at 7:26 a.m. Journalists and foreign observers joined the Atin Ito coalition volunteers.

Also, on Wednesday, the Akbayan Party announced that the coalition had already accomplished its three main objectives for the first phase of the voyage.

READ: PCG deploys assets to ensure safety of Scarborough civilian convoy

Akbayan said the coalition conducted “a peace and solidarity regatta composed of five civilian marine vessels and 100 small fishing boats in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), has placed symbolic buoys or markers carrying the message ‘WPS, Atin Ito!,’ and completed the first round of distributing supplies, including fuel and food packs, to Filipino fishers.”

It added that the Atin Ito contingent will now commence its second phase, which is geared at reaching the vicinity of Panatag Shoal for another round of supply distribution to Filipino fisherfolk in the area.