By Sonny Fernandez
For the first time in history, a group of citizen volunteers took ship on a Christmas Convoy for the West Philippine Sea, to push for sovereign rights and bring holiday cheer to frontliners and fisherfolk in the region.
M/V Kapitan Felix Oca, the mother ship of Christmas Convoy Civilian Supply Mission,
before sailing off for West Philippine Sea is packed with supplies and gifts to be distributed
to frontliners and fisherfolk community in Pag-asa Island [Photo credit: Akbayan Party]
In a statement, the ATIN ITO Coalition which initiated the breakthrough mission said, "In a profound display of solidarity and patriotism, over 40 volunteers, comprising youth and student leaders, along with fisherfolk representatives, embarked on a "Christmas Convoy Civilian Supply Mission" to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from Manila on Friday morning."
In an earlier interview with ANC News, Ed Dela Torre, president of Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and ATIN ITO co-convenor stressed that "the main message is combination of well, this is ours. But more importantly, the responsibility is not just on the side of the government, the citizens must do what we can."
Akbayan Party President Rafaela David, a convenor of Atin Ito, buttressed Dela Torre's statement saying that "as we sail forth, let our collective commitment echo in the waves: the spirit of Christmas is not confined to festivities but resonates in our shared duty to improve the living and working conditions of our fisherfolks and frontliners in the West Philippine Sea. It embodies our nation's resilience and our peaceful but determined defense of our sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The first batch of volunteers departed from Manila on board marine vessel Kapitan Felix Oca going to San Fernando Port in El Nido, Palawan where a larger contingent of fishermen and other citizens and groups will join them before heading off into the blue.
Volunteers of Christmas Caravan brighten up the lead ship, M/V Kapitan Felipe Oca, with buntings of Philippine colors and ATIN ITO logos. [Photo credit: Akbayan Party]
ATIN ITO Coalition said the National Security Council only allowed them to approach near Ayungin Shoal where BRP Sierra Madre is stationed, then sail towards Patag and Lawak Islands.
They are expected to hop from one feature to another from December 10 to 12.
The volunteers will distribute Noche Buena packages, groceries, sacks of rice, medicines, gadgets, toys, among others, to fisherfolk community in Pag-asa Island and to navy and coast guard frontliners manning and patrolling the features and islands.
The NSC said that the Christmas gifts and donated supplies will be turned over to Philippine military troops and Coast Guard personnel for security reasons.
The packages will then be delivered to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal during the regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its navy regularly embark on resupply missions escorted by the PCG.
M/V Kapitan Felix Oca [Photo credit: Akbayan Party]
While other groups, including the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea have been conducting visits, gift-giving, medical and other community projects and services, this is the first ever that citizens and NGOs set out on mission to give supplies and gifts and assert sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
Members of the ATIN ITO Coalition include the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, Center for Agrarian Reform for Empowerment and Transformation, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan, Team Manila Lifestyle, Akbayan Youth, and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.
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