40-boat gift caravan off to Pag-asa Island
The Coast Guard discouraged the Christmas caravan to Ayungin Shoal, as Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels will surely harass them.
Daily TribuneThe Coast Guard discouraged the Christmas caravan to Ayungin Shoal, as Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels will surely harass them.
Amidst the continuing aggression of Chinese maritime forces, 40 Filipino civilian boats will sail to Pag-asa Island, part of the Kalayaan Island Group, on 10 December to deliver Christmas presents to the residents and troops stationed there, the Philippine Coast Guard announced Friday.
In a statement, the PCG said Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has directed Coast Guard District Palawan to ensure the security and safety of at least 40 civilian boats participating in the Atin Ito Coalition's three-day Christmas caravan.
They will sail to Patag Island and Lawak Island and deliver gifts to the troops and residents of Pag-asa Island.
"This early, we are preparing our security personnel and positioning our vessels to provide security during the three-day humanitarian initiative," Gavan said.
Pag-asa, or Thitu Island, is part of the Spratly Islands, situated in the South China Sea, and is the administrative center of the Kalayaan Island Group, which is 280 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
"As our fellow Filipinos set foot on Pag-asa Island, we hope this experience will ignite the spirit of patriotism and inspire them to stand with us in safeguarding the country's sovereign rights within our exclusive economic zone," Gavan said.
The Coast Guard, however, discouraged the Christmas caravan to Ayungin Shoal, as Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels will surely harass them, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said.
"But the islands that can be visited by the civil society caravan that the Armed Forces of the Philippines presently occupy are Lawak, Likas, Patag, Pag-asa, Parola, Kota, Panata, and Rizal Islands," Tarriela said.
Outpouring of support
Meanwhile, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo thanked the civil society group for supporting the Coast Guard troops deployed in the West Philippine Sea.
Balilo on Friday said the PCG was overwhelmed by the many calls offering its personnel gifts, essential goods, clothes, and medicine.
He said Commandant Gavan, on behalf of the men and women of the organization, "is sincerely grateful for the generosity of non-profit organizations and private stakeholders who are extending the spirit of giving to the county's brave Coast Guardians."
The commandant also appreciated the PCG Auxiliary members who consistently assist Coast Guard troops in the WPS, Balilo added.
"Rest assured that we will swiftly transport their gifts to Palawan so our Coast Guard troops can receive them before Christmas. For those who still want to send goods, they can coordinate with the PCG Public Affairs Service via the official PCG Facebook page or its operations number, 0927-560-7729," he said.