Scarborough Shoal civilian convoy safely returns to Subic, Zambales

Fr. Robert Reyes leads a thanksgiving prayer with fishermen and volunteers of “Atin Ito” Coalition aboard one of the four fishing vessels sailing to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday morning. (RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER)

SUBIC, Zambales — The civilian convoy to Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) returned safely to Subic fishing port early Friday morning after about two days.

The mother ship Fbca Bing Bing, along with four other boats locally known as “pangulong”, already returned to port at around 1:30 a.m.

The Atin Ito coalition managed to conduct its activities like placement of symbolic markers in the WPS, and the distribution of fuel and food packs to Filipino fisherfolk through an advance party of the convoy.

This was despite several encounters with China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels which tailed Fbca Bing Bing since Wednesday, one of which came as close as 100 meters.

One of the CCG ships shadowed the convoy until Thursday noon.

A People’s Liberation Army-Navy warship was also seen within the vicinity of the Fbca Bing Bing.