PCG deploys assets to ensure safety of Scarborough civilian convoy

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Spokesperson of Philippine Coast Guard for the West Philippine Sea speaks to the members of the media at Saturday News Forum, Quezon City on Saturday, May 4, 2024. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/Arnel Tacson

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed one of its vessels and an aircraft to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to ensure the safety of the civilian convoy going to the area amid the presence of the Chinese coast guard and their militia vessels.

In a joint press conference with the Philippine Information Agency and other government agencies, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said they dispatched the two assets to monitor the voyage organized by “Atin Ito” (This is Ours) Coalition.

READ: ‘Hope for best, prepared for worst’: Scarborough civilian convoy starts

“PCG deployed 44-meter BRP Bagacay this morning upon the directive of our Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan,” Tarriela said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“We also dispatched a Coast Guard aircraft to monitor the situation in Bajo de Masinloc and the journey of Atin Ito Coalition,” he added.

Tarriela also said that they were planning to deploy additional PCG vessels, in accordance with their commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians who joined the voyage.

READ: ‘Atin Ito’: Panatag trip is about access to WPS

“Right now we are making preparations for the vessels that we will deploy,” he said.

Aside from the PCG’s plan, Tarriela also clarified that the civilian convoy going to Scarborough Shoal “is not sanctioned by the national government,” debunking, he said, claims from the People’s Republic of China saying otherwise.

“The decision of Atin Ito to conduct a supply mission to Bajo de Masinloc was voluntary. This is their initiative, and we have not supported or pushed them to do this. It is voluntary on their part, a civil society initiative,” the PCG official stressed.

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