MANILA, Philippines – Nasa 100 bangka ang lalahok sa ikalawang civilian mission sa West Philippine Sea na isasagawa sa Mayo 15.
Ayon sa Atin Ito Coalition, layon ng ikalawang civilian mission na magsagawa ng “peace and solidarity regatta” at maglagay ng mga marker o buoy sa Bajo de Masinloc o Scarborough Shoal.
“The primary objectives of the mission are to conduct a ‘peace and solidarity regatta’ within our EEZ, during which symbolic markers/buoys emblazoned with the rallying cry ‘WPS, Atin Ito!’ (WPS is ours!) will be placed to reinforce our country’s territorial integrity,” saad sa pahayag ni Atin Ito co-convenor at Akbayan president Rafaela David.
Kabilang sa misyon ay ang dalawang main civilian boats na sasamahan ng 100 maliliit na bangkang pangisda at maglalayag mula Zambales.
Bukod dito, plano rin ng Atin Ito na maghatid ng mahahalagang suplay katulad ng gasolina sa mga mangingisdang Pinoy na nasa lugar.
Iimbitahan ang international observers para magkaroon ng documentation sa sitwasyon sa WPS at makita ang pagsubok na hinaharap ng mga mangingisdang Pinoy at frontliners sa Scarborough Shoal dahil sa patuloy na panggigipit at pagtataboy ng China.
Ayon kay Atin Ito co-convenor at Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement president Edicio Dela Torres, layon ng aktibidad na ipadala ang mensaheng “WPS is not up for grabs. It belongs to us, and we, as active citizens, will peacefully defend it.”
“In the face of adversity, we must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours—nothing more, nothing less. Our sovereignty over the WPS is not negotiable,” pagpapatuloy niya.
Ipinunto ni David ang kahalagahan ng aktibong citizenship sa paggiit ng karapatan ng Pilipinas sa WPS.
“Amid the evolving geopolitical dynamics, citizens must navigate an independent but collaborative path that harnesses the bayanihan spirit of our communities and asserts the rights of our people, especially our fisherfolk,” aniya.
“Active citizenship is a superpower in itself. By mobilizing civilians and engaging in peaceful activities within our EEZ, we reclaim our space and assert our territorial integrity in a manner that champions peace and diplomacy,” dagdag pa niya.
Noong Disyembre 2023 ay isinagawa ang kauna-unahang civilian led mission sa WPS. RNT/JGC
