‘Atin Ito’ convoy breaches China’s blockade at Bajo de Masinloc

FIRST DELIVERY Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2023, and released by Atin Ito coalition shows Philippine Coast Guard personnel
on a pontoon with goods collected from one of the civilian vessels that took part in the group’s first mission in the West Philippine Sea. —AFP

MANILA, Philippines — An advance team sent a day before the civilian convoy for the West Philippine Sea embarked on a voyage to Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal has reached the area and breached China’s blockade, according to Atin Ito (This is Ours) Coalition.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the coalition said the 10-member advance team, comprised of members from the Akbayan Party, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, arrived 25 to 30 nautical miles from the general vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc on Wednesday.

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

“Despite China’s massive blockade, we managed to breach their illegal blockade, reaching Bajo de Masinloc to support our fishers with essential supplies. Mission accomplished!” said Akbayan President and Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David.

“They swiftly delivered crucial provisions, including fuel and food, to Filipino fishers working in the area. Their efforts resulted in the distribution of 1,000 liters of diesel and 200 food packs. This is despite a Chinese Navy ship with body number 175 constantly shadowing them,” the statement added.

The group also reported that 144 Filipino fishers from six mother boats and 36 small fishing boats received the supplies.

On Wednesday evening, two China Coast Guard vessels shadowed and tried to block the Filipino civilian-led convoy sailing toward Scarborough Shoal.

Before this, Atin Ito announced that it had accomplished the main objectives of its first phase on the same day.

READ: 2 China Coast Guard ships try to block ‘Atin Ito’ convoy

The coalition said it 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.”

The first-ever supply mission of  Atin Ito was conducted last year, wherein one of their resupply boats managed to get past Chinese vessels and reach Lawak Island on December 11, bringing gifts for those who are based in BRP Sierra Madre and other people in West Philippine Sea’s eight other maritime features.