Atin Ito civilian mission to proceed despite Sandy Cay incident

Atin Ito Coalition on Friday said its civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea from May 26 to 30 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 Pagasa 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.)

“What happened yesterday at Sandy Cay all the more highlights the need for this civilian-led mission in the WPS, and to impress upon China that Filipinos and citizens of other nations want peace in the region,” she added.

David noted that the coalition also prioritizes the safety of the volunteers so necessary contingency measures are in place.

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship reportedly 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 Thursday.

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.

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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News