A Philippine civilian mission of volunteers and fishermen to the West Philippine Sea (Akabayan Party's Facebook page)

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives commended the individuals behind a Philippine civilian mission for launching a daring journey to Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) despite the intimidating presence of Chinese vessels.

Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, says he is inspired by the Filipinos’ display of patriotism.

“I'm so glad na ipinapakita po ng civilian regatta na ito (that this civilian regatta shows) the concern that we have on the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” Abante said in a press conference on Thursday, May 16.

On Tuesday, the advance team of advocate group Atin Ito Coalition was able to go through a blockade of Chinese vessels to deliver food and fuel to Filipino fishermen in Scarborough shoal.

This was a day ahead of a civilian flotilla of around 200 volunteers and 100 fishermen aboard five commercial vessels and 100 smaller fishing boats. The convoy at-sea ultimately didn’t proceed to the disputed shoal after Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) drove away Filipino fishermen already present in the area.

“This is a civilian regatta, sana naman irespeto naman to ng China ano. Palagay ko, dapat na tayong magalit sa ginagawa ng China e, sapagkat talagang hindi lang tama yan, hindi lang tayo binu-bully kundi, sa buong mundo, panggigipit na ginagawa nila,” said Abante.

(I hope China respects that. I think we should be angry over what China is doing, because it's truly wrong, we're not only being bullied but, all over the world, they are pressuring us.)

With this mission, the congressman said he is already thinking of inviting other members of the House of Representatives to come with him and visit the WPS.

“Simulan natin pumunta tayo doon kahit takot ako sa dagat (Let's start going there even though I'm afraid of the sea),” he said.

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong says this patriotic display from ordinary Filipinos is proof of the public’s support for President Marcos’ stance in defending the country’s sovereignty.

“Ito pong issue sa WPS (In this issue of the WPS)…you don’t have to be a public official, an elected or appointed for that matter. It is a civic duty for every one of us who calls ourselves Filipino to support this administration in pushing for our rights over the WPS,” noted Adiong.

He emphasized that under the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines’ sovereignty over its territories in the contested sea was affirmed.

The lawmaker said the civilian mission is proof that the lower chamber is right in its call for Filipinos to side with one another instead of with foreign powers.

“Huwag po tayong pumanig sa dayuhan dahil duty po nating lahat ito. Parte po natin iyan ‘pag tumatayo sa eskuwelahan, sa opisina, ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo,” Adiong said, referring to the last line of the Philippine national anthem. 

(Let's not side with foreign powers because this is our duty. It’s part of us when standing in school, in the office, to die because of you.)