By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Atin Ito Coalition launched its fourth civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea Wednesday, April 30, with the MV Kapitan Felix Oca sailing from Pier 15, Manila South Harbor bound for Pag-asa Island in a five-day “Balik Pag-asa” initiative.
Dubbed “Balik Pag-asa,” the April 30 to May 5 voyage carries over 200 participants — volunteers, local and foreign media, fisherfolk leaders, artists, and crew — along with food, fuel, and medical supplies for residents of Kalayaan, home to around 500 Filipinos.
“This mission sends a clear message to ASEAN leaders: the West Philippine Sea is an integral part of our nation and a zone of peace and solidarity, not one of military aggression,” said Atin Ito civilian mission commander Rafaela David. The timing comes one week before the Philippines hosts the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu City.
Co-convenor David said the voyage responds to three crises:
Oil crisis hitting fisherfolk — skyrocketing fuel prices have crippled small-scale fishing trips
Chinese espionage concerns
“Betrayal by Tsinadors” — public officials accused of parroting China’s propaganda
“Every liter of fuel we deliver helps ensure that Filipino fishers can continue to sail, work, and assert our presence in the West Philippine Sea,” David said.
Centerpiece of the mission: a “Patriotic Jetski Flag Ride” in the waters off Pag-asa Island, led by Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula and Atin Ito youth volunteers. Participants will wave Philippine flags in a peaceful assertion of sovereignty.
“Mindanao made the promise, and a Mindanaoan will fulfill it,” Ismula said, referencing former President Duterte’s unfulfilled pledge to ride a jetski to assert PH rights.
The send-off was attended by Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, plus former congressman Erin Tañada representing Mamamayang Liberal. The program opened with the Philippine National Anthem, a prayer by Fr. Allan Bonloc of Project Paghilom, and the symbolic sounding of the vessel’s horn.
By 7:20 a.m. Friday, May 1, Atin Ito reported that Chinese Coast Guard vessel 3103 was shadowing MV Kapitan Felix Oca — just 3.2 nautical miles away while the civilian ship was 90 nautical miles from Manila and 60 nautical miles west of Mindoro. An advance team also spotted PLAN vessel 525 near Pag-asa.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines expressed support. AFP WPS spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military is providing maritime domain awareness and coordination “to ensure the mission’s safe passage.”
“This initiative — bringing essential fuel and food aid to our fishing communities — is a powerful testament to bayanihan and the Filipino people’s unwavering resolve to exercise their rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said.
The mission’s advance party reached Pag-asa Island at 3:50 p.m. Friday, May 1, and began unloading supplies. The main vessel is expected to arrive Saturday, May 2.
“This mission shows that civilian engagement is not episodic. It is sustained, organized, and growing,” David said. Atin Ito stressed that ordinary Filipinos traveling to the islands should be normalized.
The coalition previously held three civilian supply missions, building what organizers call a movement combining humanitarian support, cultural expression, and peaceful presence.
ia/xf
