The National Security Council Tuesday said it does not support the non-government organization's plan to conduct a Christmas convoy en route to BRP Sierra Madre (LS 57) in Ayungin Shoal amid the heightened tension between the Philippines and China over territorial claims on the West Philippine Sea.
While the government recognized the 'Atin Ito' coalition group's intention to cheer up the military personnel and the people residing in Ayungin shoal, NSC assistant director-general, Jonathan Malaya, said it is still not a perfect time to push such undertakings.
The group earlier sent a letter addressed to NSC Secretary Eduardo Año, dated 8 November, seeking the council's permission and support on its eyed Christmas civilian supply mission in WPS, particularly in the Ayungin shoal.
"While we support, in principle, the intent of the "Atin Ito" coalition to bring holiday cheer to our WPS front-liners, undertaking such a convoy to Ayungin Shoal at this time of heightened tensions between the Philippines and China is ill-advised," Malaya said.
Malaya, however, said the group may conduct the Christmas convoy in other occupied features in the WPS.
"We encourage them, instead, to undertake the Christmas Convoy to our other occupied features in the Kalayaan Island Group where Philippine troops and civilians can be found. Other than Ayungin," he stressed.
Malaya said the coalition group is allowed to conduct civilian missions in Lawak Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Pag-asa Island, Parola Island, Panata Island, Patag Island, and Rizal Reef in the WPS.
"There are also frontliners in those features and they also deserve Christmas goodies and donations from the public," Malaya underscored.
"By visiting our other occupied features, the Christmas Convoy would be able to visit a vaster area of the West Philippine Sea and thereby more fully realize their stated goal of improving the living circumstances and operational capabilities of fisherfolk and other civilian communities in the area, as well as the WPS front-liners," he continued.
Malaya said the group may turn over whatever donations they wish to provide for the troops stationed in the Ayungin Shoal to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Philippine Navy or the Philippine Coast Guard and offered to bring it along with the supplies being regularly delivered during the country's re-provision mission in the area.
"We will gladly bring the donated supplies to BRP Sierra Madre during the routine rotation and resupply missions," Malaya stated.
"Our troops in Ayungin Shoal are well supplied by the Philippine Navy-AFP supported by the Philippine Coast Guard through the regular RORE missions. There is, therefore, no need for a civilian Christmas convoy mission at this time," he added.