The Atin Ito coalition announced on Thursday, March 12,  the plans to launch its fourth civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea next month, to deliver fuel and food assistance to fishing communities struggling with rising oil prices.

The mission, themed “Balik Pag-asa” (Return of Hope), will sail to Pag-asa Island, a municipality under Kalayaan that is home to about 500 Filipino residents.

Organizers said the mission is tentatively scheduled during the last week of April and is expected to run for about five days, although the vessel that will be used has yet to be finalized.

The announcement was made during a press conference attended by members of the West Philippine Sea bloc in Congress, including Akbayan party-list representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, as well as Kaka Bag-ao.

According to Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David, the mission is meant to respond to several pressing issues affecting the country, particularly the impact of rising global oil prices on small-scale fishers.

“Ang paglayag na ito ay tugon sa tatlong pangunahing krisis na kinakaharap natin: ang krisis ng pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo na malalim na tumatama sa ating mga mangingisda, ang krisis ng Chinese spying, at ang krisis ng pagtataksil ng mga Tsinador sa ating mahal na West Philippine Sea (The sailing is a response to three major crises we are facing: the crisis of rising oil prices that is deeply affecting our fishers, the crisis of Chinese spying, and the crisis of betrayal by those now called ‘Tsinadors’ regarding the West Philippine Sea),” David said. 

“We call on the government, the business community, and ordinary citizens to stand with our fishers by helping provide fuel subsidies and essential supplies,” she said. “Every liter of fuel we deliver helps ensure that Filipino fishers can continue to sail, work, and assert our presence in the West Philippine Sea.”

Meanwhile, Atin Ito co-convenor Edicio dela Torre said the initiative also seeks to encourage more civilian activity in the disputed waters.

“Atin Ito’s civilian missions serve as a form of citizens’ transparency in an area increasingly affected by continuing Chinese harassment,” said dela Torre, who also heads the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.

He added that the presence of Filipino civilians, including fishers and youth groups, helps reinforce the country’s stake in the waters.

Also present during the event were fisherfolk representatives and civil society leaders, including New Masinloc Fishermen Association President Leonardo Cuaresma,leaders from the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka and youth groups such as Akbayan Youth and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.