The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed two vessels to escort the Atin Ito Coalition’s civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a press briefing on Monday, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua will escort the civilian from 26 to 30 May.

“Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, one of the largest ships of the PCG, departed Puerto Princesa, Palawan, heading to El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido," Tarriela said.

He added that PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the coast guard to pre-position the BRP Malapascua in El Nido, Palawan, throughout the mission.

Last Friday, the civilian-led Atin Ito coalition affirmed that its mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) will proceed as planned, despite the recent aggressive actions by Chinese vessels against Philippine government ships near Sandy Cay.

“We proceed as planned, and we hope to conduct our musical event, ideally and safely within the vicinity of Pag asa Island. Ang dala natin ay kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng musika, hindi lenguwahe ng giyera (What we bring is peace through music, not the language of war)," Atin Ito Coalition convenor Rafaela David said in a statement.

Tensions flared on 25 May when the China Coast Guard vessels intentionally collided with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels — BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) and BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003) — while they were on a routine mission with a Filipino scientific team to collect sand samples for a marine research project.

At approximately 9AM, China Coast Guard vessel 21559 used a water cannon and sideswiped BRP Datu Sanday twice, damaging its port bow and smokestack and endangering the lives of the civilian personnel on board.

Authorities noted that this marks the first time water cannons have been used against BFAR research vessels in the vicinity of the Pag-asa Cays in the WPS.