Christmas Convoy mission aborted due to harassments by Chinese vessels

By Sonny Fernandez

Dangerous maneuvers by Chinese vessels forced the captain of the mother ship of the Christmas Convoy bound for Lawak Islands to cut short its journey and return to El Nido on Sunday, December 10.

China Coast Guard and China Maritime Militia vessels are seen firing blasts of water at Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on Sunday, December 10. This and shadowing incidents of the Christmas Convoy primary vessel by two Chinese navy warships, one China Coast Guard and one Chinese cargo ship, forced Atin Ito Coalition to abort its mission to bring supplies and Noche Buena packages to frontliners and fisherfolk communities in the West Philippine Sea.

[Video courtesy of Akbayan Party]

In a statement, Akbayan Party President Rafaela David, co-convenor of ATIN ITO, said, "If it were only up to us and the Philippine Coast Guard, we would like to proceed with the Christmas convoy. However, we recognize and respect the expertise and experience of the captain."

It added that Atin Ito leaders reported "two Chinese navy warships, one Chinese Coast Guard, and one Chinese cargo ship shadowed TS Kapitan Felix Oca at 3:40 pm on Sunday starting at the south of Kayumanggi Bank on its way to Lawak Island to drop off supplies to fishers and frontliners. A Chinese navy warship traveling in the opposite direction and another shadowing closely heightened concerns. "

The Atin Ito Coalition initiated the first civilian-led convoy to bring holiday cheer to frontliners posted in Ayungin Shoal, Lawak and Patag Islands as well as in Pag-asa fisherfolk community. 

Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels "harassed, blocked and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission (RORE) to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal."

It added that Chinese vessels fired blasts of water at Philippine vessels causing "severe damage to M/V Kalayaan engines, disabling the vessel and seriously endangering the lives of its crew."

The PCG condemned "China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that has consistently put the lives of our people at risk."

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