MANILA, Philippines – A convoy of boats carrying Philippine civilians bearing fuel and food for Filipino fishermen has abandoned plans to sail closer to a China-held reef off the Southeast Asian country, organizers said Thursday.
'Atin Ito will now proceed to conduct the final leg of supply distribution in the current area, as there are no more Filipino fishers in BdM after they were reportedly sent away by various Chinese vessels,' the non-government coalition's spokesman told reporters, using the acronym for the reef known to Filipinos as Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
Philippine fishermen, along with volunteers from a civilian-led mission 'Atin Ito (It’s Ours)' Coalition, arrive at a meeting point as seen from the bow of Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Bagacay, in South China Sea on May 15, 2024. Civilians on board Philippine fishing boats sailed on May 15 towards a China-controlled reef off the Southeast Asian country to distribute provisions to Filipino fishermen and assert their rights to the disputed waterway. AFP PHOTOS
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