A VESSEL of the Atin Ito coalition yesterday sailed back to Manila, from Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), where the group held a concert and distributed supplies to Filipino fishermen last Wednesday.
A Chinese Coast Guard vessel, with bow number 21549, shadowed the civilian vessel, M/V Kapitan Felix Oca (also referred to as T/S Kapitan Felix Oca), said Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy’s spokesman for the West Philippine Sea.
M/V Kapitan Felix Oca — carrying some 150 Atin Ito volunteers, artists and media men — left Manila last Sunday and reached El Nido in Palawan the following day. It sailed to Pag-asa Island on Tuesday and anchored at the island on Wednesday afternoon and completed its third mission in the West Philippine Sea.
Yesterday morning, it sailed to Manila.
“As of May 29, 2025, T/S Kapitan Felix Oca is en route to Manila and maintains a steady course and speed, with PCG 9702 (BRP Melchora Aquino) closely escorting it at a distance,” said Trinidad.
“Meanwhile, China Coast Guard vessel 21549 is observed trailing at approximately 4.2 nautical miles off the starboard quarter of the T/S Kapitan Felix Oca,” added Trinidad.
Trinidad said the Navy will continue to “monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the convoy’s safe return to Manila.”
The vessel was expected to arrive in Manila late Thursday.
Trinidad reaffirmed the military’s support to Atin Ito’s mission at Pag-asa Island.
“The Navy remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the convoy throughout its journey in the West Philippine Sea,” said Trinidad.
“It continues to monitor developments in the area, noting the routine presence of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels, but with no indication of imminent aggression or escalation. Western Naval Command remains vigilant, with contingency measures in place should the situation require further action,” added Trinidad.
Meanwhile, government rejected China’s remarks on Pag-asa Island and nearby Sandy Cay, as it asserted the country’s “sovereignty and jurisdiction” over the Kalayaan Group of Islands.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said China has no right to object, much less interfere, with the activities of Philippine authorities in the area.
“The fundamental fact is that Pag-asa Island and the Pag-asa Cays form part of the Kalayaan Island Group, which is an integral part of the Philippines over which it has longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines is clearly within its rights to conduct routine maritime operations and scientific research in and around these features, and will continue to do so,’ the DFA said in a statement.
It said that the activities of Philippine authorities in the area are a valid exercise of Manila’s sovereignty and consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, as well as the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
“China has no right to object, much less interfere with these lawful and routine activities,” the DFA said, as it urged Beijing to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area.
On Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila accused the Philippines of violating the 2002 DOC by sending personnel to Sandy Cay under the guise of scientific research.
The embassy issued the statement after the Philippine National Maritime Council and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources accused the China Coast Guard of aggressive actions and unlawful interference against Philippine civilian public vessels conducting a routine marine scientific research mission in the vicinity of Sandy Cay.
The embassy insisted the feature, called Tiexian Jiao, is part of its territory and warned Manila against further action.
It also accused Manila of conducting 27 unauthorized landings involving 167 personnel on uninhabited features in the South China Sea since January this year despite what it said were strong protests and representation by the Chinese government.
Manila has repeatedly complained of aggressive Chinese actions in the disputed waters, including the use of water cannons against Philippine coast guard ships on patrol and resupply missions.
Beijing anchored its claim on the South China Sea on the so-called nine dash line but the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 junked it as the basis for its sweeping claim on the disputed waters, saying that it has no legal or historical basis.
But Beijing refused to honor or abide by the arbitral panel’s ruling and continue to press its aggressive claim in the area, sending near constant coast guard patrols and maritime militia vessels, while fortifying its man-made islands with military garrison. – With Ashzel Hachero
