Scarborough convoy concludes mission, now heading back to Subic port

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, Philippine — Volunteers of the civilian-led convoy that reached about 50 nautical miles from Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal have concluded their mission and will now return to Subic port, according to Atin Ito (This is Ours) Coalition.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the coalition said they had already concluded the mission after accomplishing their three earlier objectives of its voyage’s first phase.

“Mission Accomplished! Volunteers for Atin Ito’s civilian supply mission have just concluded a thanksgiving prayer presided over by Fr. Robert Reyes on the lead boat, with two other priests on the accompanying vessels,” it wrote.

“They will now proceed to the Subic fish port to mark the end of their successful mission. The Atin Ito contingent is expected to arrive at the Subic fish port at midnight on May 17,” it added.

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

On Wednesday, Atin Ito announced that it had accomplished the following main objectives:

• Conducting a peace and solidarity regatta comprised of 5 civilian marine vessels and 100 small fishing boats in our exclusive economic zone
• Placing symbolic buoys/markers carrying the message “WPS, Atin Ito!,”
• Completing the first round of distributing supplies, including fuel and food packs, to Filipino fishers

Earlier Thursday, Atin Ito’s report said that its 10-member advance team had arrived 25 to 30 nautical miles from the general vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc and breached China’s “illegal blockade.”

It added that the team was able to deliver “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.”

Atin Ito said a total of 144 Filipino fishers from six mother boats and 36 small fishing boats received the supplies.

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.

They brought gifts for those who are based in BRP Sierra Madre and other people in the West Philippine Sea’s eight other maritime features.