The Atin Ito coalition, a group of more than a hundred Philippine civilians represented by NGOs, fisherfolk organizations, concerned artists and citizens, Church leaders, and entrepreneurs, is determined to deliver supplies such as food and fuel to the frontliners and fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag, Scarborough Shoal) on Tuesday, May 13 despite the threat of a Chinese ship blockade.
This will be the second attempt at re-supplying the area, but the first by the citizen-led campaign since the group’s Christmas convoy on December 11, 2023. On April 30, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aboard BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410), was met with water canons on their mission to Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). According to the National Task Force for the WPS (NTF-WPS), “China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed, blocked, water cannoned, and rammed” the Philippine ship.
On December 11, 2023, Atin Ito’s first mission had to be diverted because of Chinese aggression, however, the smaller vessel ML Chowee managed to evade several Chinese vessels as it took a different route from the main ship the MV Kapitan Felix Oca and successfully delivered supplies and Christmas packages to Lawak Island.
Ray Powell, a former US Air Force official and ex-Defence Attache, who is now an expert in Indo-Pacific affairs wrote on his account (@GordianKnotRay) on X (formerly Twitter): “China is sending a huge force to blockade Scarborough Shoal ahead of the Atin Ito civilian convoy setting sail from the Philippines Tuesday. By this time tomorrow at least 4 coast guard and 26 large maritime militia ships on blockade (not counting “dark” vessels).
This will be by far the largest blockade I’ll have ever tracked at Scarborough. China seems determined to aggressively enforce its claim over the shoal, of which it seized control from the Philippines in 2012.”
Atin Ito remains unfazed.“Our mission is peaceful, based on international law, and aimed at asserting our sovereign rights,” said Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David in a press statement on May 13. “Atin Ito shall press forward with our peaceful voyage undeterred by any intimidation. We will sail with determination, not provocation, to civilianize the region and safeguard our territorial integrity.”
Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson, said on Dobol B TV that the coast guard assures that the Atin Ito coalition will be able to navigate the seas freely despite the threat of a blockade.
