The Christmas Convoy, a fleet of civilian boats, has set sail on a heartwarming mission to bring holiday cheer to Filipino troops stationed in remote outposts in the West Philippine Sea. Comprising of 40 volunteers, including youth and student leaders, as well as fisherfolk leaders, the convoy began its journey from Manila to El Nido in Palawan aboard the MV Kapitan Oca, serving as the mother ship for the convoy.
Organized by the Atin Ito! Coalition, the convoy plans to welcome more volunteers in Palawan before continuing its voyage. The convoy’s route will take it near the Ayungin Shoal, making stops at various Philippine-occupied features in the West Philippine Sea.
However, due to security concerns, Philippine authorities have denied the convoy permission to enter the Ayungin Shoal and visit the BRP Sierra Madre, where troops are stationed. Resupply missions to the grounded vessel by civilian boats, escorted by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships, have faced constant harassment from China Coast Guard and maritime militia ships.
Despite this setback, the National Security Council (NSC) has granted the convoy permission to visit Pag-asa Island. Here, the convoy will deliver donations, including noche buena food packs, solar lamps, sacks of rice, canned goods, hygiene kits, gadgets, and toys, to be delivered to the troops on the Sierra Madre during the next resupply mission.
Various groups have joined the expedition, including the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, Center for Agrarian Reform for Empowerment and Transformation, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan, Team Manila Lifestyle, Akbayan Youth, and Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.
The incursions by China in the West Philippine Sea have raised international concerns, escalating tensions in the disputed waters. Recently, leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, expressed deep concern about the situation in the South China Sea.
In a joint statement, the G7 leaders strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific through force or coercion. They also emphasized that China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis and voiced their opposition to China’s militarization efforts in the region.
The G7 leaders reaffirmed the universal and unified character of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and highlighted the importance of UNCLOS as the legal framework governing all activities in the oceans and seas. They further emphasized the significance of the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016, which is legally binding upon the parties involved and serves as a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes.
The arbitral court in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in its case against China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea. However, China has refused to accept the ruling and has continued to fortify the islets and atolls it occupies while confronting Philippine vessels in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
The Christmas Convoy serves as a symbol of unity and support for the Filipino troops stationed in remote outposts in the West Philippine Sea. Despite the challenges and tensions in the region, the convoy’s mission brings hope and holiday cheer to those who bravely defend their country’s sovereignty.
Source: The Manila Times
