Metro Manila, December 12 ------ The Christmas convoy organized by a civilian group decided abort its mission and return to El Nido, Palawan after four Chinese ships shadowed the Filipino vessels. "Erring on the side of caution, ATIN ITO, in consultation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), agreed to return to El Nido, Palawan after the constant shadowing of four Chinese vessels," Akbayan Party said.
Two Chinese Navy ships, one China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, and one cargo ship began shadowing the convoy at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, it said. "The captain of Atin Ito's main civilian marine vessel, based on his wisdom, expertise and experience, deemed that it is no longer safe to continue with the voyage due to the constant shadowing conducted by four Chinese vessels," the group said, despite its desire to continue the mission.
Akbayan vice president and ATIN ITO co-convenor Emman Hizon told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Weekend that aside from the shadowing, the Chinese vessels also made dangerous maneuvers that put civilian lives at risk. Hizon said the CCG vessel, which was moving at high speed and threatened a head-on collision with a Philippine vessel, also "made a dangerous maneuver to cut in between the marine vessel of ATIN ITO and our escort BRP Melchora Aquino."
Even though the convoy turned around, he said ATIN ITO would turn over to the PCG the supplies it was supposed to give to fisherfolk and West Philippine Sea frontliners, so that these can be distributed to their intended recipients. Earlier in the day, the convoy announced that it altered its course after CCG ships fired water cannon at Philippine vessels on a regular rotation and resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal. "In response to the latest incident, the Christmas convoy organized by ATIN ITO will alter its original route. Instead of going first to Ayungin Shoal, it will proceed directly to Lawak and Patag Islands. The planned donation drop-offs for the benefit of West Philippine Sea fishers and frontliners will then proceed as scheduled from there," said Akbayan Party president Rafaela David, a convenor of Atin Ito.
Volunteers left Palawan on Sunday morning aboard the T/S Kapitan Felix Oca and will bring donations and supplies to Patag and Lawak Islands. Atin Ito said it would assess the situation to see whether it could still pass through Ayungin Shoal after its visit to Lawak Island. The convoy was approved in November. Atin Ito also condemned the latest incident in the West Philippine Sea, where China Coast Guard ships fired water cannon at Philippine vessels on a regular rotation and resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal.
M/L Kalayaan, a commissioned civilian ship, suffered engine damage due to the powerful blasts of water. "This aggressive act, carried out by a China Coast Guard vessel, not only endangers the safety of our civilian supply mission but also runs counter to the principles of human rights that the international community upholds, and our rightful claims to the West Philippine Sea," the group said.
Source: cnnphilippines.com
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