ASSERTING PH SOVEREIGNTY. House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (2nd from right), together with other lawmakers, visits Pag-asa Island on Oct. 5, 2023, to reassure troops stationed there that Congress would fund their infrastructure needs. Romualdez has given his blessing to the civilian-led "Atin Ito Coalition," which is scheduled to make the long trip from Palawan to the disputed parts of the West Philippine Sea on Dec 10. (Photo courtesy of Speaker Romualdez’s office)
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – Sailing enthusiasts and activists from this province on Saturday joined the Manila-based “Atin Ito Coalition” flotilla in El Nido, which would sail off to disputed parts of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Sunday.
Joaquin Ortega, convenor of the Palawan Patriots for Peace and Progress (P4), said his group, composed of residents of the province’s 3rd District, would take part in the “Christmas Sail” to help assert Philippine sovereignty over many parts of the WPS.
The flotilla is scheduled to make stops at the Ayungin Shoal, Patag and Lawak Islands, as well as the inhabited Pag-asa Island, where they would distribute gifts to resident soldiers and soldiers deployed to the area.
Ortega said his group’s participation in the ocean voyage has received the blessing of House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, the current caretaker of Palawan's 3rd District after the demise of Rep. Edward Hagedorn.
Describing his contingent as a multi-sector group, he said their goal is to broaden the understanding of Palaweños on the disputed area and encourage them to participate in the defense of their country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"Upholding of the Philippines’ interests in the West Philippine Sea and the need to inform and unite Palaweños in safeguarding and exercising our sovereign rights over the WPS and our exclusive economic zone (is among our concerns)," he said.
The alliance, in addition to the Palawan Patriots, includes a diverse mix of organizations: the youth-driven Ahon Palaweño, Chef Aiza’s Community Kitchen, the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), Palawenyo Savers Club, the Pioneer Publication of Palawan State University (PalawanSU), and Saguda Palawan.
At the time of reporting, members of the alliance, along with some Palawan-based journalists, are traveling overland from Puerto Princesa City to El Nido in northern Palawan, where the participants would meet and hold a safety briefing.
From here, the reinforced Atin Ito Coalition flotilla would make the 420-km. journey to the very tense waters around the Ayungin Shoal.
The Atin Ito Coalition, whose flagship is the Kapitan Felix Oca, left Manila on Friday with the original 40 boats.
It is not clear how large the flotilla would become once the Palawan sailors join in.
The group would make the two-day journey to their destination, the furthest point being Pag-asa Island, which is 560 km. away from El Nido. (PNA)
