A civilian group, the ‘Atin To’ coalition, that provided supplies to Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal successfully, returned to Subic, Zambales early morning of May 17, 2024.

In a report by Joviland Rita in GMA News Online, Emman Hizon, one of the organizers, said the mission was generally peaceful.

“Generally peaceful and victorious despite China's unlawful presence in the area, accompanied by its vessels' acts of harassment and intimidation, and its massive and illegal blocking force in Panatag Shoal,” Hizon said.

The group set out from Masinloc, Zambales on May 15, 2024.

Five wooden bancas and 100 smaller boats carrying around 200 volunteers and 100 fishermen departed around 7:30 a.m. for a mission to Scarborough Shoal, which is within the Philippines' territory. 

Among those who joined the group was Juris Bautista Sucro, Mayor of Kalibo, Aklan.

Their goal was to assert that only Filipinos have the right to this part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Bagacay carried gasoline and groceries for the fishermen. 

Besides distributing supplies, the group also installed 12 buoys labeled "WPS Atin ‘To.”

“Meron po tayong mga partner na fisher... bibigyan naman lahat kahit yung nasa vicinity ng Scarborough [shoal], hopefully our supplies last,” Rafaela David, co-convenor of the Atin To Coalition and president of Akbayan Party, said.

The Atin To group headed straight to Scarborough Shoal, an area where Chinese vessels have repeatedly harassed Filipino ships, including a severe water cannon incident on April 30 involving a Philippine Coast Guard ship.

There were more than a dozen Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal reportedly during the mission.

The Philippine Coast Guard has added two more ships to guard the convoy. 

“Dahil dito sa maraming deployment ng China para harangin ang Atin Ito Coalition sa kanilang paglalayag, ang ating commandant has decided to deploy two more coast guard vessels para siguraduhin — na kung sakali man, wag naman sana — there would be untoward incident na mangyayari rito ay mayroon tayong coast guard,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said.