The second attempt of a civilian group to conduct a supply mission in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) beginning on Tuesday, May 14, will be challenged anew by Chinese maritime forces.
"Atin Ito" Coalition will bring food and other supplies for Filipino fisherfolk in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal but maritime security analyst Ray Powell said China has deployed its biggest blockade to stop the mission. The supply run is expected to last until May 17.
"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, [there will be] at least four coast guard and 26 large maritime militia ships on blockade (not counting 'dark' vessels)," Powell, a retired US Air Force officer, said in his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, May 13.
"This will be by far the largest blockade I 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," he added.
Despite this, Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David said the mission will still push through, as she affirmed that it is a "legitimate exercise of Filipino citizens' right to movement within our territory."
"The reported presence of Chinese marine vessels in Bajo de Masinloc is lamentable, but not surprising. It only underscores the urgency of civilianizing the area in response to China's militarization," she said.
David, who is also the president of progressive group Akbayan Party, further insisted that the supply mission will be peaceful, based on international law, and aimed at asserting the Filipinos' sovereign rights over Bajo de Masinloc.
"China's actions are failing to intimidate Filipinos. Instead, they are only uniting and inspiring us to go further in defending our rights," she said.
Atin Ito will bring more than 100 civilian boats to the mission as they attempt to install floating markers bearing the words "WPS, Atin Ito!" (WPS, This is Ours!) in Bajo de Masinloc.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS, said the civilian mission is not sanctioned by the national government but the agency will send ships to escort the boats participating to the event.
"Bilang Pilipino, kung gusto nilang maglayag dito (As Filipinos, if they want to sail there), that's their right," he said.
"Our objective is to ensure the safety of those who will be joining. We have to make sure that they won't be harassed or injured," he added.
The supply mission comes more than five months since Atin Ito launched its first ever trip to the West Philippine Sea in December 2023 to bring supplies to troops guarding the features occuppied by the Philipines.
The maiden mission's original plan was for the lead ship, MV Kapitan Oca, and around 140 boats, to sail to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and bring donated goods to troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre ahead of Christmas, and make similar supply runs in Lawak (Nanshan) Island and Patag (Flat) Island.
However, the presence of a Chinese destroyer, naval ship, and coast guard vessel prompted the civilian convoy to cancel its trip. A small boat managed to slip past through the Chinese vessels after taking a different route from the convoy, and successfully brought the goods to troops in Lawak Island.