Latest news with #MelchoraAquino
GMA Network
5 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
6 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
PH Navy vows protection for Atin Ito WPS civilian mission amid Chinese shadowing
China Coast Guard vessel 3306 shadows Atin Ito ship on civilian mission to Pagasa Island in West Philippine Sea, May 27, 2025. Atin Ito Coalition The Philippine Navy on Tuesday assured participants of Atin Ito's civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) of protection amid the shadowing activities of two Chinese vessels in the area. At a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that contingencies are in place. 'Western Command is monitoring the activity. There are appropriate contingencies in place in the event na kakailanganin ang response ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (in case help from AFP is needed),' Trinidad said. According to Trinidad, the AFP will provide help when needed. 'We do not control the escalation dynamics of hostilities but we could assure not only the Atin Ito participants but all Filipinos in the WPS that your Armed Forces, the other government agencies, are always there ready to protect them hanggat kaya natin (as long as we can),' he said. 'The Philippine Navy, the AFP, and even other government agencies in the maritime domain are prepared to respond to support anything that they would need while conducting their concert at sea,' he added. So far, Trinidad said the Philippine Navy has not monitored significant increase in the number of Chinese vessels and any indication that the Chinese vessels will perform aggressive actions against the civilian mission. Chinese vessels Atin Ito said two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels CCG 3306 and CCG 21549 shadowed its ship while on the way to Pagasa Island for a civilian mission on Tuesday morning. The coalition said the two Chinese vessels 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. 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. Volunteers from Atin Ito arrived in El Nido on Monday to launch the third civilian-led mission to the WPS, which will culminate with a concert near Pagasa Island. The civilian mission was set from May 26 to 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. Arbitration court ruling 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." — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 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
21-05-2025
- General
- GMA Network
PH, US hold joint maritime activities in Palawan, Occidental Mindoro
The US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) is followed by the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino during the 6th Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity. Photo: PS16 Philippine and United States militaries and coast guards conducted the 6th Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the strategic waters of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday. This was the first time the US Coast Guard (USCG) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) jointly participated in an MCA, highlighting a growing whole-of-nation approach to maritime cooperation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement Wednesday. The AFP said the exercises featured in its activity with the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), PCG, and USCG were the following: Communications Check Exercise (COMMEX); Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX); Division Tactics and Officer of the Watch Maneuver (DIVTACS/OOW); Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX); and Finish Exercise (FINEX). The assets used in the activity were Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz, BRP Domingo Deluana, and AW109 naval helicopter; Philippine Air Force's Super Tucano and Sokol helicopters; as well as Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua. (From front) PH Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz, USCG Cutter Stratton, and PCG's BRP Melchora Aquino sail in tactical formation during the 6th bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity on May 20, 2025. PS16 From the US' side, the assets used were US Coast Guard's Cutter Stratton and US Navy's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. These exercises aimed to boost the Philippine and US capabilities in surveillance and operational coordination. 'As the Philippines continues to navigate evolving maritime challenges, joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the AFP's commitment to modernizing its capabilities and strengthening defense partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests,' AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said. —KG, GMA Integrated News
