Latest news with #AtinIto
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
South China Sea: Filipino activists stage ‘sea concert' to resist Beijing claims
Combining protest with performance, Filipino activists staged a 'sea concert' near the disputed Thitu Island in the South China Sea this week – a symbolic act of resistance that analysts say may not advance legal claims but could help galvanise regional solidarity and draw global attention. Advertisement The event, organised by the Atin Ito (This Is Ours) coalition, took place aboard the civilian vessel M/V Kapitan Felix Oca, which set sail from Palawan in the early hours of Tuesday carrying volunteers and artists from across Southeast Asia Hours into the journey, the ship and its two Philippine coastguard escorts were shadowed by Chinese coastguard vessels, which issued a radio challenge asserting Beijing's sovereignty over the area. A voice from one of the Chinese ships cited 'China's domestic law and international law' – including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – and claimed a 2016 arbitral ruling was 'illegal' and China 'neither accepts nor recognises' it. The Philippine coastguard stated the vessels were operating lawfully within its exclusive economic zone, referencing the country's Maritime Zones Act , UNCLOS, and a 2016 Hague tribunal decision that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. A female crew member was heard telling the Chinese vessels they had 'no legal authority to patrol' the area and should 'depart immediately.' While no incident ensued, the ship's captain, Jorge dela Cruz said the shadowing was 'alarming,' considering the vessel was just 40 nautical miles from the Philippine mainland. Advertisement
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Atin Ito ship returning to Manila as China vessel shadows
The ship of the Atin Ito Coalition is heading back to Manila after its civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), one of the organizers, Emman Hizon, said Thursday morning. According to Hizon, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 21549 continued to shadow Atin Ito's M/V Kapitan Felix Oca with a distance of 4.2 nautical miles. The Atin Ito ship is expected to arrive in Manila at 4 p.m. on Friday, Hizon said, adding that its voyage was slowing down due to offshore waves. Despite the shadowing of Chinese ships and bad weather on Wednesday, Atin Ito Coalition conducted a concert off the territorial waters of Pagasa Island as part of its third civilian mission to the WPS. "Mission accomplished! This is a moment of triumph not just for our mission, but for every Filipino who dreams of peace and justice in our seas. We made history today by holding the very first sea concert deep in the West Philippine Sea, just two nautical miles from Pag-asa Island," Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David earlier said. "Despite being shadowed by Chinese marine vessels, we stood our ground. Our artists sang not just to entertain, but to resist, to unite, and to inspire," she added. Supplies were delivered to fisherfolk in the area. A symbolic flag-raising ceremony was also held on board Atin Ito's ship in observance of the National Flag Day. More than 150 people are on board M/V Kapitan Felix Oca including volunteers, artists and their crew, the press, as well as boat staff. The civilian mission started on May 26 and is expected to end on May 30. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Atin Ito holds concert off Pagasa Island waters despite Chinese shadowing
Despite the shadowing of Chinese ships and bad weather, Atin Ito Coalition conducted a concert off the territorial waters of Pagasa Island on Wednesday as part of its third civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 'We are now inside the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island. Due to the rainfall, the second part of the historic sea concert is held inside the ship, sa bridge,' one of the organizers Emman Hizon told reporters. 'As of the moment, constant shadowing lang ng CCG vessels,' he added. The convoy of the civilian-led mission will continue to sail near Pagasa Island, according to Hizon. Atin Ito said the 'Concert at Sea for Peace' will serve as a platform for artists, musicians, and fisherfolk from various claimant countries to come together and promote peace, cultural exchange, and regional solidarity through music and the arts. Photo from Atin Ito Coalition The first part of the concert was held during the send-off ceremony for the civilian mission in El Nido, Palawan on May 26. OPM singer-songwriters Ebe Dancel and Noel Cabangon were among the performers during the ceremony. More than 150 people are on board Atin Ito's M/V Kapitan Felix Oca including volunteers, artists and their crew, the press, as well as boat staff. '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,' Atin Ito convenor Rafaela David earlier said. The civilian mission is set to be completed on May 30. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said it has deployed two of its vessels, Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua, to escort the civilian-led mission. On Tuesday morning, Atin Ito said two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels CCG 3306 and CCG 21549 shadowed the Philippine civilian mission ship around 54 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan. The Chinese vessels were spotted as close as three nautical miles. The Chinese and Philippine sides also exchanged radio challenges. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
South China Sea Convoy Challenges Beijing's Territorial Claims
A coalition of Philippine civilians has embarked on its third mission to defy China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. While the Atin Ito coalition-Tagalog for "This is Ours"-anticipated a possible challenge from China's assertive coast guard, the volunteers sought to send a "message of peace and unity," spokesperson Rafaela David told local media on Monday. China claims sovereignty over roughly 90 percent of the South China Sea, citing "historical rights," despite a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's 2016 ruling dismissing the claims as incompatible with maritime law. China's expansive moves in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone have been met with pushback. The result has been spiraling tensions and dramatic standoffs between the countries' government forces, raising concerns about a potential conflict that could trigger the Philippines' Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email for comment. More than 150 volunteers-including activists, fishermen, musicians, and civic and church leaders-set sail for Philippines-controlled Thitu Island early Tuesday morning as part of a convoy centered on the civilian vessel Kapitan Felix Oca. Tensions over Thitu, the only inhabited feature in the Spratly Islands archipelago and home to a modest military outpost, flared up again in recent days. Last week, China's coast guard executed close-quarter blocking maneuvers and deployed its water cannon in nearby waters while attempting to drive off a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel that Manila said was supporting a scientific mission. The group said it aimed to distribute supplies such as food, medicine and fuel to local fishermen and servicemembers stationed at the garrison. Performers will also hold a concert on the island as a message of solidarity. "We are not just asserting territory. We are asserting that ordinary Filipinos have a stake here," David told reporters before departure from Manila on Monday. "We will not be intimidated." The Philippine coast guard said it deployed one of its largest patrol ships, the BRP Melchora Aquino, along with the smaller BRP Malapascua, to escort the Felix Oca. As of 3 p.m. local time, two Chinese coast guard ships were observed "shadowing" the civilian convoy about 66 miles off the north coast of Palawan province, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The Chinese vessels reportedly issued radio challenges asserting China's claim and citing "domestic and international law," while rejecting the 2016 arbitral decision. "In response to the unauthorized patrol by the China Coast Guard, the Philippine coast guard vessels have initiated radio communications to challenge [Chinese coast guard vessel] 3306's claim of operating under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China," Tarriela said. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a Philippine navy spokesperson,told Newsweek: "We do not speculate on the actions of any adversary. Nevertheless, we are ready to respond to any threat that may face the Atin Ito convoy." The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, in a statement: "Nansha Qundao, including Tiexian Jiao, has always been China's territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao [the Spratly Island group] and its adjacent waters. The Atin Ito participants are scheduled to begin their return trip to Manila on Friday. Related Articles Map Shows World's Biggest Research Universities After HarvardDonald Trump Gets Good News From Consumers Amid Tariff PullbacksJoe Rogan Says China 'On Verge of Passing' US in 'Many Areas'China Reviving World War II Airfield in America's Backyard 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
South China Sea Convoy Challenges Beijing's Territorial Claims
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A coalition of Philippine civilians has embarked on its third mission to defy China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. While the Atin Ito coalition—Tagalog for "This is Ours"—anticipated a possible challenge from China's assertive coast guard, the volunteers sought to send a "message of peace and unity," spokesperson Rafaela David told local media on Monday. Why It Matters China claims sovereignty over roughly 90 percent of the South China Sea, citing "historical rights," despite a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's 2016 ruling dismissing the claims as incompatible with maritime law. China's expansive moves in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone have been met with pushback. The result has been spiraling tensions and dramatic standoffs between the countries' government forces, raising concerns about a potential conflict that could trigger the Philippines' Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email for comment. A Chinese Coast Guard ship monitors a Philippine fishing boat during the distribution of fuel and food to fishers by the civilian-led mission Atin Ito (This Is Ours) Coalition, in the disputed South China Sea... A Chinese Coast Guard ship monitors a Philippine fishing boat during the distribution of fuel and food to fishers by the civilian-led mission Atin Ito (This Is Ours) Coalition, in the disputed South China Sea on May 16, 2024. More Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images What To Know More than 150 volunteers—including activists, fishermen, musicians, and civic and church leaders—set sail for Philippines-controlled Thitu Island early Tuesday morning as part of a convoy centered on the civilian vessel Kapitan Felix Oca. Tensions over Thitu, the only inhabited feature in the Spratly Islands archipelago and home to a modest military outpost, flared up again in recent days. Last week, China's coast guard executed close-quarter blocking maneuvers and deployed its water cannon in nearby waters while attempting to drive off a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel that Manila said was supporting a scientific mission. The group said it aimed to distribute supplies such as food, medicine and fuel to local fishermen and servicemembers stationed at the garrison. Performers will also hold a concert on the island as a message of solidarity. "We are not just asserting territory. We are asserting that ordinary Filipinos have a stake here," David told reporters before departure from Manila on Monday. "We will not be intimidated." The Philippine coast guard said it deployed one of its largest patrol ships, the BRP Melchora Aquino, along with the smaller BRP Malapascua, to escort the Felix Oca. As of 3 p.m. local time, two Chinese coast guard ships were observed "shadowing" the civilian convoy about 66 miles off the north coast of Palawan province, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The Chinese vessels reportedly issued radio challenges asserting China's claim and citing "domestic and international law," while rejecting the 2016 arbitral decision. "In response to the unauthorized patrol by the China Coast Guard, the Philippine coast guard vessels have initiated radio communications to challenge [Chinese coast guard vessel] 3306's claim of operating under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China," Tarriela said. What People Are Saying Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a Philippine navy spokesperson, told Newsweek: "We do not speculate on the actions of any adversary. Nevertheless, we are ready to respond to any threat that may face the Atin Ito convoy." The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, in a statement: "Nansha Qundao, including Tiexian Jiao, has always been China's territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao [the Spratly Island group] and its adjacent waters. What Happens Next The Atin Ito participants are scheduled to begin their return trip to Manila on Friday.
