Chinese vessel stops shadowing as PH civilian mission sails back to Manila — Atin Ito

A Chinese vessel stopped shadowing as the Philippine civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) sailed back to Manila on Tuesday morning, according to civil society coalition Atin Ito.

In an update, Atin Ito said that the civilian mission was just over 100 nautical miles away from the Port of Manila as it continued its return voyage as of 10:20 a.m.

The mission’s main vessel, M/V Kapitan Felix Oca (KFO), was 101.2 nautical miles from Manila and 34.16 nautical miles from Lubang Island.

“At present, only the Philippine Coast Guard vessel MRRV 4411 is escorting M/V Kapitan Felix Oca. A Chinese Coast Guard vessel stopped shadowing the KFO at 8:30 AM,” Atin Ito said.

The KFO is expected to arrive at the Port of Manila at 10 p.m., according to Atin Ito.

On April 30, Atin Ito sent off its fourth civilian mission in WPS to Pagasa Island from Pier 15, Manila South Harbor,

The advance party of the Philippine civilian mission arrived on Pag-asa Island on May 1. Meanwhile, the main vessel arrived on May 2.

Atin Ito conducted its first jetski flag ride in the waters off Pag-asa Island on May 3. The coalition also planted the Philippine flag on Pagasa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay).

Aside from shadowing from Chinese vessels, Atin Ito also reported that a China-made drone for the Filipino civilian mission would not take off, as it received prompts that required the operator to register the unit with Chinese authorities.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier said, "In recent years, ATIN ITO has repeatedly attempted to carry out provocative activities under the pretext of safeguarding the Philippines' territorial sovereignty, but all have ended in failure. China will continue to resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

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. — RSJ, GMA News