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Civilian mission hopes to promote peace, unity in tense-filled WPS
Civilian mission hopes to promote peace, unity in tense-filled WPS
The civil society coalition “Atin Ito” is all set for its third civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) beginning Monday, May 26, which is expected to last until May 30 and will feature yet another unprecedented initiative – a sea concert to promote peace, unity, and solidarity in the contested waters.
Atin Ito convenors Ed Dela Torre and Rafaela “Paeng” David said the mission includes a sunset musical event at the jump-off point in El Nido, Palawan; dialogue sessions and cultural exchanges; and a concert performance in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.
“This sea concert will bring together artists, musicians, fisherfolk, and civil society leaders from the Philippines and neighboring countries to promote peace, dialogue, and cultural exchange,” said Dela Torre, who also serves as President of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).
“It will serve as a floating platform for diplomacy, solidarity, and people-to-people cooperation in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions,” he added.
Renowned folk artist and Atin Ito supporter Noel Cabangon revealed the initial lineup of performers for the sea concert, including acclaimed Filipino acts Ebe Dancel, all-women rock band Rouge, rap collective Morobeats, and P-pop group HORI7ON.
They will be joined by Japanese artist Fumi, Indonesian and Malaysian musicians Viona and Kai Mata, and South Korean K-pop girl group I:Mond.
David emphasized that the mission seeks to cultivate peace through the universal language of music and the transformative power of artistic expression.
“We aim to uplift coastal communities by amplifying the lived experiences and aspirations of our fisherfolk, and to foster regional harmony through shared cultural and maritime narratives. We will sail not with warships, but with songs; not with hostility, but with harmony and solidarity,” she said.
The mission comes after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel fired water cannon and sideswiped BRP Datu Sanday, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the WPS last May 22 while the latter was conducting a marine scientific research.
As such, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy two ships, a 97-meter and a 44-meter vessel, to escort around 50 civilian volunteers who will join the voyage aboard MV Kapitan Felix Oca.
“Our only interest is to ensure the safety of the convoy,” PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said.
The third Atin Ito mission builds upon the success of its previous civilian-led expeditions in 2023 and 2024, during which it 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 tensions by Chinese vessels.
The mission included an attempt by the volunteers to approach Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) but they were met by an armada of Chinese vessels. Despite the blockade, a small boat that took an alternate route managed to evade the Chinese ships and successfully delivered supplies to the Filipino troops and fishermen in the area.
The coalition’s second mission, carried out on May 15, 2024, involved placing floating markers 14 nautical miles off Palauig Point in Zambales—well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. It also featured a peaceful regatta and the distribution of aid to local fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc.