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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.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
2 Chinese vessels shadow Atin Ito ship on civilian mission to Pagasa Island
Atin Ito Coalition said two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels shadowed its ship while on the way to Pagasa Island for a civilian mission on Tuesday morning. In an update, Atin Ito said CCG 3306 and CCG 21549 shadowed the Philippine civilian mission ship around 54 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan. 'CCG 3306 is 3 NM from Atin Ito ship while the other one, CCG 21549, is 5 NM away from the Atin Ito ship,' the coalition said. Chinese and Philippine sides exchanged radio challenges, according to Atin Ito. Volunteers from Atin Ito arrived in El Nido on Monday to launch the third civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which will culminate with a concert near Pagasa Island. The civilian mission was set from May 26 to 30, 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 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. 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. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG sends 2 vessels to escort Atin Ito civilian mission to West PH Sea
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said it has deployed two of its vessels to escort Atin Ito Coalition's civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from May 26 to 30. PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the two vessels as BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua. 'Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking barko ng PCG, ay umalis na sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan patungo sa El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido,' he said in a press briefing. (Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, one of the largest ships of the PCG, departed Puerto Princesa, Palawan heading to El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido.) 'And for the other vessel na sinabi ni [Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan] na ipapadala namin, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan,' he added. (And for the other vessel that the Commandant said we will send, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan.) Atin Ito, over the weekend, said its civilian-led mission to the WPS will continue despite the recent aggression of Chinese vessels in Sandy Cay. 'We proceed as planned, and we hope to conduct our musical event, ideally and safely within the vicinity of Pag asa Island. Ang dala natin ay kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng musika, hindi lenguwahe ng giyera,' Atin Ito Coalition convenor Rafaela David said in a statement. (What we bring is peace through music, not the language of war.) A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon and sideswiped a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the WPS on May 22. BFAR said its BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya were on a routine mission with a scientific team to collect sand samples in the area. 'At approximately 0913H, CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) twice, resulting in some damage to the latter's port bow and smokestack, and putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel onboard,' BFAR said. 'This incident marks the first time water cannons have been used against DA-BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays,' it added. The bureau pointed out that the incident happened within the territorial sea of the Philippines in the area of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2, which are part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS. CCG said that it took "control measures" against the Philippine vessels which it said "illegally intruded" into waters near Subi Reef and Sandy Cay. Liu Dejun, the CCG spokesperson, claimed that one of the Philippine vessels "dangerously" approached and collided with their ship, and that responsibility "lies entirely" with the Philippine side. 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. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
24-05-2025
- GMA Network
WPS research missions won't stop despite China aggression — BFAR
China Coast Guard vessel 21559 fires a water cannon and sideswipes a BFAR vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Courtesy: Philippine Coast Guard video screen grab The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) remains committed to conduct marine research missions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite continued aggression from the China Coast Guard (CCG). "Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na binomba 'yung barko ng BFAR at alam niyo naman na hindi tayo nagpapatinag, tuloy pa rin naman ang pagsasagawa ng mandato ng ahensya sa kabila nga mga iresponsable, marahas, na aksyon ng Chinese Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea," BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said during the Saturday News Forum. (This is not the first time that a water cannon was fired at a BFAR vessel. This will not stop us from performing the agency's mandate despite the irresponsible, aggressive actions of the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.) The BFAR official made the pronouncement after a CCG ship fired a water cannon and sideswiped the agency's vessels in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay). According to the Fisheries bureau, its ships BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya were on a routine mission with a scientific team to collect sand samples in the area as part of a marine scientific research initiative. The BFAR said the Philippine scientific team was able to complete its operations in Pag-asa Cays 1, 2 and 3 despite the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels' "aggressive, dangerous, and illegal" actions. The bureau pointed out that the incident happened within the territorial sea of the Philippines in the area of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2, which are part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS. "Hindi ito magiging dahilan para tumigil tayo na gawin ang misyon, mandato ng ahensya sa pakikipagtulungan ng ibang concerned agency like the Philippine Coast Guard… nasa karagatan tayo na sakop ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas, may karapatan tayo na magsagawa ng mga gawain, ayon sa mandato ng aming ahensya," Briguera said. (This will not be the reason for us to stop doing our mission, the mandate of the agency in cooperation with other concerned agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard… We are in the maritime zone that is part of Philippine territory. We have the right to conduct our activities in accordance with the mandate of our agency.) In a statement, the China Coast Guard said it took "control measures" against the Philippine vessels, which it said "illegally intruded" into waters near Subi Reef and Sandy Cay. CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun also claimed that one of the Philippine vessels "dangerously" approached and collided with a CCG ship, and that responsibility "lies entirely" with the Philippine side. Briguera dismissed the CCG's claim, adding that evidence will show who really is the aggressor in the particular incident. "Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na naglabas tayo ng ebidensya kung sino talaga kumabaga ang gumawa ng provocative action sa mga ganitong pagkakataon," he said. The BFAR official said that CCG's moves on its vessels "would entail thousands of pesos doon sa damage kasi itong mga barko natin hindi basta-basta 'yung mga materials ng mga barko natin… thousands, maybe millions of pesos." (... would entail thousands of pesos to repair the damage because our vessels are made of high-quality materials... the cost may be thousands, if not millions of pesos.) "Nasa ano naman 'yan, protocol na kapag nagkaroon ng damage ibabalik sa home court …ia-assess 'yung damage," Briguera said. (Whatever the case may be, whenever our vessels sustain damage, they must be brought back to home court... to assess the damage.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News
