Atin Ito Coalition
{{short description|Philippine civic group advocating for sovereignty and democratic rights}}
{{use mdy|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Atin Ito Coalition
| full_name = West Philippine Sea – Atin Ito
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| logo = Atin Ito Coalition Logo.png
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| formation = {{start date and age|2023}}
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| type = Non-governmental coalition
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| purpose = Support for Philippine sovereignty claims in the South China Sea dispute
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| location_country = Philippines
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| methods = Convoy of boats, deployment of buoys in the contested areas, delivery of supplies to Filipino soldiers and fishers
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The West Philippine Sea – Atin Ito ({{translation|West Philippines Sea – It is Ours}}) is a civilian-led initiative to deliver donated goods to Filipino troops stationed in the Spratly Islands, a feature claimed by several countries including the Philippines and China. The organization supports the Philippines' sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.
Background
{{see also|Territorial disputes in the South China Sea}}
West Philippine Sea – Atin Ito ({{translation|West Philippines Sea – It is Ours}}) is a civilian-led initiative to launch expeditions in support of the Philippines' claim in the South China Sea dispute. It is also in opposition to the People's Republic of China's assertions of its own territorial claim over the sea.{{cite news |last1=Bolledo |first1=Jairo |title=What you need to know: Atin Ito's Christmas convoy to West PH Sea |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/things-to-know-atin-ito-christmas-convoy-west-philippine-sea/ |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=Rappler |date=9 December 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Faith |title=Christmas convoy in West Philippine Sea diverted |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/10/2317866/christmas-convoy-west-philippine-sea-diverted/ |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=10 December 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Laqui |first1=Ian |title=Civilian-led Christmas convoy sails to West Philippine Sea |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/08/2317408/civilian-led-christmas-convoy-sails-west-philippine-sea/ |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=The Philippines Star |date=8 December 2023}}
Its name bears the designation West Philippine Sea, a name introduced by the Philippine government to refer to parts of the South China Sea covering waters and islands claimed by the Philippines including the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.
Atin Ito includes members of Akbayan, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK), and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).{{cite news |last1=Cabico |first1=Gaea Katreena |title=Atin Ito’s advance team breaches China’s Scarborough blockade, delivers supplies to fishers |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/16/2355562/atin-itos-advance-team-breaches-chinas-scarborough-blockade-delivers-supplies-fishers |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=Philippine Star |date=16 May 2024}}
Activities
= 2023 Christmas convoy =
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = Atin Ito Christmas convoy
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| partof = Territorial disputes in the South China Sea
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| date = December 10, 2023
| place = Spratly Islands, South China Sea
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| causes =
- Philippine sovereignty claims to parts of the South China Sea
- China's implementation of its sovereignty claim over the whole sea
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- Sail near Second Thomas Shoal
- Deliver supplies to Filipino troops in Nanshan and Flat Islands
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| result =
- Second Thomas Shoal planned visit cancelled
- Goods delivered to Filipino troops in Nanshan
| side1 = {{flag|Philippines}}
- Atin Ito Coalition
- Philippine Coast Guard
| side2 = {{flag|China}}
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| leadfigures1 = {{flagicon|PHI}} Rafaela David
{{flagicon|PHI}} Jorge Dela Cruz
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| howmany1 = 40 marine vessels
- M/V Kapitan Felix Oca
- 40 boats
1 ship
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3 ships
- Chinese destroyer Changsha (173)
- Second Chinese naval ship
- Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5305
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== Planning ==
The Atin Ito coalition planned on holding a convoy of marine vessels to deliver donated supplies to Filipino troops stationed at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal.{{cite news |title=Philippine security body warns vs civilian convoy to Second Thomas Shoal |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/11/21/558912/philippine-security-body-warns-vs-civilian-convoy-to-second-thomas-shoal/ |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=BusinessWorld |date=21 November 2023}}
The National Security Council (NSC) has cautioned against the plan saying the organization could visit other Philippine occupied features in the Spratlys. It also suggest turning over donations to the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard instead.{{cite news |last1=Ratcliffe |first1=Rebecca |title=Christmas convoy to cheer up Filipino troops on disputed shoal 'ill advised' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/21/security-officals-advise-against-christmas-convoy-to-philippines |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=21 November 2023}} The coalition insist that it would push through with their plan despite the discouragement.{{cite news |last1=Manahan |first1=Jervis |title=Group to pursue Christmas convoy to Ayungin shunned by security council |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/20/23/group-to-pursue-ayungin-convoy-mission-shunned-by-nsc |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=20 November 2023}} The NSC would eventually approve the convoy on the condition that its vessels would only pass through the general area near Second Thomas Shoal.{{cite news |last1=Mangosing |first1=Frances |title=Gov't gives go-ahead to Christmas convoy to WPS |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223553/govt-gives-go-ahead-to-christmas-convoy-to-wps |access-date=1 January 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=28 November 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Punongbayan |first1=Michael |title=40 boats to join Christmas convoy to Ayungin Shoal |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/11/30/2315164/40-boats-join-christmas-convoy-ayungin-shoal |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=The Philippine Star |date=30 November 2023}} The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea also approved of the plan.{{cite news |last1=Puente |first1=Beatrice |title=Civilian convoy departs for 'meaningful journey' to West Philippine Sea |url=https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/shared-duty-civilian-convoy-departs-for-meaningful-journey-to-west-philippine-sea |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=News 5 |publisher=TV5 |date=8 December 2023}}
The final plan is for the convoy to sail near Second Thomas Shoal and Nanshan and Flat Islands.{{cite news |last1=Mangosing |first1=Frances |title=Smaller boat in 'Atin Ito' convoy completes mission to Lawak |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/224180/smaller-boat-in-atin-ito-convoy-completes-mission-to-lawak |access-date=31 December 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=12 December 2023 |language=en}} The convoy was to consist 40 boats with a "mother vessel" which could accommodate 100 people.
== Mission ==
M/V Kapitan Felix Oca, the lead ship of the Christmas convoy with 40 volunteers departed from Manila for El Nido, Palawan on December 8, 2023.
{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=John Eric |title=First batch of Christmas convoy sets sail to West Philippine Sea |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223973/subject-first-batch-of-christmas-convoy-in-wps |access-date=29 December 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=8 December 2023 |language=en}} Carrying humanitarian supplies meant for Filipinos in the Spratlys Islands, the ship arrived in El Nido the following day.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Mia |title=LOOK: West PH Sea Christmas convoy volunteers arrive in Palawan |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/photos-volunteers-civilian-christmas-convoy-ayungin-arrives-palawan-december-9-2023/ |access-date=31 December 2023 |work=Rappler |date=9 December 2023}}
The Christmas convoy, officially commenced in the early morning of December 10. The marine vessels departed from El Nido's San Fernando Port. The convoy had a total of 200 people which includes 100 fishers, 20 youth and student leaders, 20 sectoral representatives as well as 60 journalists working for domestic and international media outlets.{{cite news |last1=Daguno-Bersamina |first1=Kristine |title=Christmas convoy sets sail for historic mission in West Philippine Sea |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/10/2317858/christmas-convoy-sets-sail-historic-mission-west-philippine-sea |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=The Philippine Star |date=10 December 2023}} The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino served as ecort.{{cite news |last1=Ho |first1=Gretchen |last2=Tupas |first2=Emmanuel |last3=Punongbayan |first3=Michael |author1-link=Gretchen Ho |title=China Coast Guard Ship Moved Towards A Head-On Encounter With Christmas Convoy Boat – Captain |url=https://www.onenews.ph/articles/china-coast-guard-ship-moved-towards-a-head-on-encounter-with-christmas-convoy-boat-captain |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=One News}}
The plan for the Christmas convoy was revised due to a separate incident during the morning between Filipino and Chinese ships involving the Second Thomas Shoal.{{cite news |title=Christmas convoy: Smaller boat avoids Chinese ships' harassment, accomplishes mission |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/544938/christmas-convoy-smaller-boat-avoids-chinese-ships-harassment-in-wps-accomplishes-mission |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=Cebu Daily News |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=12 December 2023 |language=en}} This cancelled the Atin To's plan to sail near the shoal.{{cite news |last1=Mangosing |first1=Frances |title=Smaller boat in 'Atin Ito' convoy completes mission to Lawak |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/224180/smaller-boat-in-atin-ito-convoy-completes-mission-to-lawak |access-date=1 January 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=12 December 2023 |language=en}} China later laid blame on the Philippines for the encounter.{{cite news |last1=Zhao |first1=Lei |title=Philippines' provocative acts slammed|url=https://epaper.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202312/12/WS6577a88da31036711cce4ab9.html |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=China Daily |date=12 December 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Mao |first1=Ning |title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 11, 2023 |url=http://is.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/fyrth/202312/t20231211_11199587.htm |access-date=1 January 2024 |publisher=Foreign Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Iceland |date=11 December 2023}}
In the afternoon, Kapitan Felix was heading towards Nanshan Island when it decided to go back to El Nido. A mass was being held by its passengers when two People’s Liberation Army Navy ships including Chinese destroyer Changsha (173) and Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5305 appeared nearby.{{cite news |last1=Ticke |first1=Gerald |title=Christmas convoy turns around, returns to El Nido |url=https://palawan-news.com/christmas-convoy-turns-around-returns-to-el-nido/ |access-date=31 December 2023 |work=Palawan News |date=11 December 2023}}
ML Chowee, a smaller vessel part of the convoy, sailed a different route from Kapitan Felix. Evading bigger Chinese vessels, it was able to deliver supplies to Filipino troops in Nanshan Island in the morning.
== Reception ==
Bishop Broderick Pabillo of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in Palawan expressed support for the conduct of the Christmas convoy.{{cite news |last1=Hermoso |first1=Christina |title=Bishop Pabillo supports Christmas caravan to Ayungin Shoal |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/6/bishop-pabillo-supports-christmas-caravan-to-ayungin-shoal |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=7 December 2023 |language=en}}
=May 2024 convoy=
Shortly after the conduct of the Christmas convoy, the Atin Ito Coalition vowed to organize future resupply missions with the next one projected to be held in early 2024.{{cite news |title=Coalition vows 2nd attempt after aborted Spratlys gift-giving mission |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1215215 |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=11 December 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=John Eric |title=West PH Sea Christmas convoy planners eye 2024 'summer mission' |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/224205/west-ph-sea-christmas-convoy-planners-eye-2024-summer-mission |access-date=1 January 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=12 December 2023 |language=en}}
A convoy would visit Scarborough Shoal on May 15, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=John Eric |title=100 civilian fishing boats to join Scarborough Shoal convoy |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/233369/100-civilian-fishing-boats-to-join-scarborough-convoy-in-may-15 |access-date=25 April 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=25 April 2024 |language=en}} The convoy consists of five "mother boats" and 100 smaller fishing boats.{{cite news |last1=Ticke |first1=Gerald |title=Atin Ito convoy completes first mission |url=https://palawan-news.com/atin-ito-convoy-completes-first-mission/ |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=Palawan News |date=15 May 2024}} The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Bagacay would escort the mission. The China Coast Guard's vessels Nos. 4108 and 4109 would challenge the convoy.{{cite news |last1=Corrales |first1=Nestor |title=2 China coast guard ships try to block ‘Atin Ito’ convoy |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/236087/2-china-coast-guard-ships-try-to-block-atin-ito-convoy |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=16 May 2024 |language=en}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.atinito.info}}
{{Bongbong Marcos}}
Category:December 2023 in China
Category:December 2023 in the Philippines
Category:May 2024 in the Philippines
Category:Territorial disputes of the Philippines
Category:Territorial disputes of China