Atin Ito Prepares Third Civilian Mission in West Philippine Sea
The civil society coalition Atin Ito is gearing up for its third civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea, scheduled from May 26 to May 30. This expedition will feature a unique event—a sea concert aimed at promoting peace, unity, and solidarity in the contested waters. The keyphrase “third civilian mission West Philippine Sea” highlights the coalition’s ongoing commitment to peaceful engagement in the region.
Atin Ito convenors shared that the mission will include a sunset musical gathering at El Nido, Palawan, followed by dialogue sessions and cultural exchanges. The highlight will be a concert held within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island. This event is designed to bring together artists, musicians, fisherfolk, and civil society leaders from the Philippines and neighboring countries.
Sea Concert to Promote Peace and Solidarity
According to community leaders involved with Atin Ito, the sea concert will serve as a floating platform for diplomacy and people-to-people cooperation in one of the world’s most contested maritime areas. The event aims to foster dialogue and cultural exchange through music, uniting various stakeholders to promote regional harmony.
The initial lineup includes well-known Filipino artists such as Ebe Dancel, the all-women rock band Rouge, rap group Morobeats, and P-pop ensemble HORI7ON. They will be joined by international performers from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea, including artists Fumi, Viona, Kai Mata, and the K-pop girl group I:Mond.
Mission Goals and Safety Measures
The coalition emphasizes that this mission uses the universal language of music to cultivate peace and uplift coastal communities by highlighting the experiences and hopes of local fisherfolk. “We will sail not with warships, but with songs; not with hostility, but with harmony and solidarity,” one organizer said.
Following a recent incident where a China Coast Guard vessel fired water cannons and sideswiped a Philippine fisheries vessel near Pag-asa Cay, the Philippine Coast Guard will escort the mission. Two PCG ships, one 97 meters and another 44 meters long, will accompany about 50 civilian volunteers aboard MV Kapitan Felix Oca to ensure their safety.
Building on Past Missions and Maritime Claims
This third civilian mission continues the efforts from previous expeditions in 2023 and 2024, which combined humanitarian aid with asserting the Philippines’ territorial rights. The first mission sailed with over 140 participants in December 2023 to deliver Christmas gifts and show support for government troops in the West Philippine Sea. Despite Chinese vessels blocking access to some areas, supplies successfully reached Filipino fishermen and soldiers through alternative routes.
The second mission, conducted in May 2024, involved placing floating markers within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and featured a peaceful regatta and distribution of aid to local fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc.
For more news and updates on the third civilian mission West Philippine Sea, visit Filipinokami.com.