The “Atin Ito” Coalition, a civilian-led initiative, is set to return to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for its third civilian mission into the contested waters on May 25, but it’s no ordinary voyage as the group will hold a concert at sea, attempting to defy Chinese presence.
The group, led by co-convenors Edicio Dela Torre and Akbayan Partylist president Rafaela David, as well as key figures in the defense of the WPS including former Supreme Court Association Justice Antonio Carpio, advocate Kiko Aquino Dee, and retired admiral Rommel Jude Ong among others, gathered at a press conference in Quezon City on Monday, March 17, to announce the latest initiative.
“We are setting sail with a message of peace and solidarity through music,” David said. “Through the power of art and collective action, we will fight for what is rightfully ours—not with weapons of war, but with the unyielding force of music and solidarity.”
The “Peace and Solidarity Sea Concert” will serve as both a symbolic and cultural assertion of the Philippines’ sovereignty, rights as a nation, and territorial integrity, according to Atin Ito.
It said the mission will bring together fisherfolk, artists, and civil society groups from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote regional peace and cooperation while opposing foreign aggression.
The group said that renowned artists Noel Cabangon and the all-women rock group Rouge have pledged their support for the civilian mission, highlighting music’s power in raising awareness and mobilizing public action.
Japanese artist Fumiya Sankai, better known as “Fumi,” through a video message, also expressed his support for Atin Ito’s mission, further amplifying the campaign’s international reach.
“We will restore peace, solidarity, and cooperation in the region—values that have long bound our nations together, especially among our fisherfolk,” David continued. “These were callously undermined when China unilaterally imposed its baseless claims, resorting to aggression and violence to illegally assert control over waters.”
The third Atin Ito mission builds upon the success of its previous civilian-led expeditions in 2023 and 2024, which provided essential aid to fisherfolk while asserting the Philippines’ rightful claim over its territorial waters.
During the maiden mission, a convoy with over 140 participants sailed to the WPS on Dec. 10, 2023 to bring Christmas gifts and show solidarity with government troops guarding the maritime features occupied by the Philippines in the tense waters amid an escalation of tension by Chinese vessels.
The mission included an attempt by the volunteers to get closer to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) but they were greeted by an armada of Chinese vessels. However, a small boat which took a different route from the rest of the pack managed to squeak past the Chinese ships and successfully brought the supplies to the troops and fishermen.
The second mission was held on May 15, 2024 which included an installation of floating markers at 14 nautical miles off Palauig Point in Zambales, well within the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, conduct of a peaceful regatta, and distribution of supplies to Filipino fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc.