AFP ready to assist third West PH Sea civilian mission

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to provide assistance to the third civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on May 25, the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that the AFP welcomes such support from a civic group.

“The Armed Forces welcomes all civic groups that would like to show support to the stand of the government in the WPS. Actions like this, like a group sail, the third organized by the particular group, is very much welcome, provided that they get the right coordination with the appropriate government agency,” he said.

“The Philippine Navy, the Armed Forces, to include other government agencies, are always ready to support them in their endeavor and to provide assistance if and when necessary,” he added.

Asked if the Philippine military will provide a close escort to the civilian mission, Trinidad said it will be considered on a case-to-case basis.

“The presence of the AFP, the Philippine Navy in the WPS is based on the patrol plans of Northern Luzon Command and Western Command. In the event of specific details like particular requests for escorts by different civic society groups, this will be taken up on a case-to-case basis,” Trinidad said.

“In the event that this will coincide with the different patrol plans, then it will be good to have them at the same time, on the same day,” he added.

Atin Ito Coalition on Monday announced that another civilian mission is set to be conducted in the WPS on May 25  amid the tension in the area involving Chinese vessels and aircraft.

For the third iteration of the mission, Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan party-list president Rafaela David said a peace and solidarity sea concert will also be held.

"We are setting sail with a message of peace and solidarity through music. Through the power of art and collective action, we will fight for what is rightfully ours--not with weapons of war, but with the unyielding force of music and solidarity,” David said.

"We will restore peace, solidarity, and cooperation in the region--values that have long bound our nations together, especially among our fisherfolk. These were callously undermined when China unilaterally imposed its baseless claims, resorting to aggression and violence to illegally assert control over waters,” she added.

Atin Ito conducted its first and second civilian missions in WPS in December 2023 and May 2024, respectively. —VAL, GMA Integrated News