Akbayan Party President Rafaela David, ATIN ITO co-convenor and overall commander of the convoy, said that the convoy will proceed directly to Lawak and Patag Islands instead of proceeding first to Ayungin Shoal.
“The planned donation drop-offs for the benefit of West Philippine Sea fishers and frontliners will then proceed as scheduled from there,” David said in a statement.
Upon reaching Lawak Island, David said the ATIN ITO contingent will conduct a “thorough assessment of the situation”, hoping to still pass through the general vicinity of Ayungin Shoal before “concluding the journey back to El Nido (in Palawan)”.
“It is important to note that, in accordance with the existing guidelines established by the National Security Council (NSC), ATIN ITO’s Christmas Convoy maintains the necessary permissions to traverse the general vicinity of Ayungin Shoal,” she clarified.
On Sunday morning, the CCG water cannoned Philippine vessels on a routine resupply and rotation mission to BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57), a tank landing ship of the Philippine Navy that was intentionally grounded on Ayungin Shoal to serve as the Philippines’ outpost and strengthen the country’s claim of sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
The Chinese actions resulted in severe damage to M/L Kalayaan’s engines and damage to BRP Cabra’s mast. The act also endangered the lives of the crew, according to the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).
David condemned the incident which happened during the international celebration of Human Rights Day.
“This aggressive act, carried out by a Chinese 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,” she said.
—RF, GMA Integrated News
