By Benjamin Cuaresma
PAG-ASA ISLAND, Kalayaan —Making history again, the Atin Ito coalition’s fourth civilian mission reached Pag-asa Island Friday evening, May 2, after sailing through shadowing by at least three China Coast Guard vessels and a possible People’s Liberation Army Navy warship.
At 5:30 p.m., Captain Jorge dela Cruz of the MV Kapitan Felix Oca ordered an engine stop exactly 2.3 nautical miles south of Pag-asa Island to wait for the ML Chowee, a smaller boat that ferried supplies ashore.
The advance party, led by ML Chowee, had arrived earlier at 3:50 p.m., 10 minutes ahead of schedule, and began unloading food and fuel for island residents.
Beyond asserting Philippine sovereignty, the “Balik Pag-asa” mission delivered food, fuel, and school supplies to some 500 residents, especially fisherfolk hit by skyrocketing fuel prices.
Saturday night’s events included a meet-and-greet with Kalayaan officials, goods distribution, and a cultural concert by Filipino rap collective Morobeats. An island tour and medical outreach were set for Saturday before the mission’s scheduled departure Sunday afternoon.
The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed CCG vessel 3103 shadowed the Kapitan Felix Oca, coming as close as 3 nautical miles while the civilian ship moved northeast of Pag-asa. Two more CCG vessels were monitored 10 nautical miles away.
Atin Ito also reported a Chinese vessel with bow number 525, believed to be PLAN, spotted by the advance team.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines backed the civilian mission. AFP WPS spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military provided “full support through maritime domain awareness and coordination to ensure a safe passage”.
“This initiative… 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 MV Kapitan Felix Oca left Pier 15, Manila South Harbor on April 30 with over 200 volunteers, media, fisherfolk leaders, artists, and crew. A “Patriotic Jetski Flag Ride” led by Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula was also planned to assert sovereign rights.
ia/xf
