The ‘Atin Ito’ coalition announced a significant breakthrough on Thursday in its mission to reach Bajo de Masinloc. In a statement, the group said it sent an advance team a day before its civilian mission successfully breached China’s imposing blockade at the reef also known as Panatag Shoal.
‘Atin Ito’ reported that its advance team departed for Bajo de Masinloc on the morning May 14, Tuesday, one day prior to the official launch of their voyage.
The 10-member advance team were comprised of members from Akbayan Party, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK), and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM). They arrived within 25 -30 nautical miles of the general vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc on Wednesday, May 15.
They swiftly delivered 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, according to ‘Atin Ito.’
Akbayan president and ‘Atin Ito’ co-convenor Rafaela David said the feat mirror’s the success of their inaugural mission last December when their smaller supply boat, ML Chowee, navigated past a Chinese vessel’s harassment near Ayungin Shoal to deliver supplies to frontline workers on Lawak Island.
“Despite China’s massive blockade, we managed to breach their illegal blockade, reaching Bajo de Masinloc to support our fishers with essential supplies. Mission accomplished!” David said.
“This stands as a testament to the ingenuity, resourcefulness and bravery of the Filipino spirit amidst formidable challenges. China may possess larger and more vessels, and wield strong water cannons, but we possess a secret weapon: our ‘diskarteng Pinoy,’ which, when coupled with determination and love for fellow citizens and country, can surmount even the most daunting adversity,” she added.
David declared the ‘Atin Ito’ second civilian supply mission a “tremendous success.”
“We have achieved so many things despite the extraordinary challenges. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang mamamayang Pilipino. (Long live the Philippines and the Filipino people). West Philippine Sea, atin ito! (This is ours!)” she said.
Earlier, former US Air Force official and defense attaché Ray Powell posted on X (formerly Twitter) that China moved the rest of its blockade into position to prevent the ‘Atin Ito’ convoy from reaching Bajo de Masinloc.
The Chinese force included one People’s Liberation Army Navy ship, eight China Coast Guard vessels, and 34 militia crafts, according to Powell.
Bajo de Masinloc, a fish-rich reef, is about 240 kilometers (150) miles west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese land mass.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims by the Philippines and other countries and ignoring an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. –With AFP