The Philippine Christmas convoy of the civic group Atin Ito (This is Ours) Coalition has been requested to return to port after vessels from the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard were spotted while sailing toward islands in the South China Sea that Manila was claiming.
According to Filipino broadcaster ABS-CBN, there was a change of plans after several incidents of Chinese Coast Guard ships harassing Filipino vessels merely hours before the group aboard the training ship Felix Oca and an escorting Philippine Coast Guard task force led by the BRP Melchora Aquino set sail.
The center-left party Akbayan, a principal component of the coalition, said in a statement that they were returning to El Nido after consultations with the Philippine Coast Guard. The party added that the decision was made after two Chinese PLA ships, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, and a Chinese cargo ship shadowed their course beginning 15:40 local time (07:40 UTC).
However, organizers have not indicated that the mission was aborted.
Over this weekend, the Chinese coast guard targeted Filipino vessels with water cannon blasts, which caused damage and endangered Filipino crew members aboard.
The Associated Press reported that Manila and Washington both immediately condemned the latest confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal. On the other hand, Beijing officials justified their actions as "in accordance with laws and regulations" without elaborating further.
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Setting Sail to Bring Christmas Cheer
The voyage began early Sunday morning (December 10) from the port and tourist town of El Nido in the island province of Palawan. Aside from sending a clear message to China by peacefully defending Filipino sovereignty over territories and waters, the Philippines claim as theirs, Akbayan said in an earlier statement that the mission to the West Philippine Sea - as Manila officials call the part of the South China Sea that falls under its exclusive economic zone - aimed to "deliver donations and essential supplies to fisherfolk communities and frontliners," as well as bring the Christmas holiday cheer to the area.
Coincidentally, December 10 this year was the 125th anniversary of the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, which finalized the handover of Spain's remaining overseas territories to the United States.
Aboard the Oca were around 200 volunteers, including youth and student leaders, sectoral representatives, local fishermen and their boats, local and international journalists, and at least two priests acting as chaplains for the voyage, the Philippine Star reported.
The Philippine National Security Council initially discouraged the flotilla from approaching contested waters. One of them is the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel that intentionally ran aground the Second Thomas Shoal as a naval deterrent and outpost. Officials have since reversed their decision, provided they were escorted by Philippine Coast Guard vessels.
It was also previously reported that Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino expressed concern over what Beijing would do in retaliation to the voyag
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