For Senator Francis Tolentino, giving Christmas gifts is part of Filipino tradition, and there is nothing wrong with doing this same thing for Filipino troops sacrificing within the country's jurisdiction.

He made the statement in reaction to the stand of the National Security Council (NSC) that it will not support any civilian mission in Ayungin Shoal in time for the Christmas season.

This, after the Atin Ito coalition, a group of advocates fighting for the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), announced an all-civilian Christmas convoy to the atoll, which is the center of recent tension between the Philippines and China due to a territorial dispute, on Dec. 5.

"While there may be some risks involved, our authorities should ensure the safety of those involved," Tolentino said in a statement.

He added that this is what he meant when he told China in August not the spoil Christmas.

"For the last several months I have been saying this - don't spoil our Christmas," he said.

Instead of going to Ayungin Shoal, the NSC advised the group to undertake the Christmas convoy to other Philippine-occupied features in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands) where Philippine troops and civilians can be found.

The NSC said that the group can instead visit other features such as Lawak Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Pag-asa Island, Parola Island, Panata Island, Patag Island, and Rizal Reef which are also being claimed by the Philippines in the Spratlys.

NSC and National Task Force for WPS spokesperson Jonathan Malaya also suggested that the group can turn over their Christmas donations to the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which will be brought to BRP Sierra Madre during the next routine rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission.