By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Atin Ito Coalition on Monday (March 17) launched its third civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with a historic “Peace and Solidarity Sea Concert” uniting fisherfolk, artists, and advocates – both national and international – in a powerful call for peace, unity, and solidarity.
Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (Ret.), Atin Ito Co-Convenor Edicio Dela Torre, Kiko Aquino Dee, Rear Adm. Rommel Jude Ong (Ret.), and Akbayan Partylist President Rafaela David, Ka Nards Cuaresma, Matthew Silverio, youth and student organizations gathered in a press conference in the defense of the WPS.
Aquino Dee, from the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundatiion, read a statement, cited the victory in the WPS through the Arbitral ruling, said that if they can do it through the civilian-led mission in the WPS, they can also do it in the May 12, 2025 elections.
Dela Torre, president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), said that the attention is not sufficient enough and there is a need for some engagement that is corresponding to the Filipinos’ capability and culture.
“it’s not only an issue for the Philippines, but the whole of Asia should cooperate and collaborate for the WPS,” he said.
Dela Torre said that they would like to reach out to others and “we are just exercising our sovereignty and territorial integrity in the WPS.”
“Art and culture play a vital role in disseminating awareness and consciousness about the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity over the WPS,” he added.
Dela Torre noted the missions’ profound impact on public consciousness.
Cuaresma, president of the Masinloc Farmers Association, said that the aggression of China affected the fisherfolk of Masinloc such that they seem not felt the help the government then was extending to them and as if they had no hope in their predicament then.
When the Atin Ito coalition they saw how they defended their lives as fishermen and had shown to them how to defend their livelihood in the WPS.
Cuaresma added that because of the coalition they realized that there are Filipinos who are ready to help them defend sovereignty in the WPS and they were challenged to take action to make a living in the WPS.
With the new mission of the Atin Ito coalition in the WPS, even the local government units in the area were inspired to help the fisherfolk, who are the most vulnerable sector of society, but today they are seeing hope to sustain their livelihood and defend the sovereignty over the WPS.
The Rotary Club of Makati has provided safety devices for the fisherfolk in Masinloc such as two units of Payao in the province of Zambales, fish aggregating devices and the Zambales provincial government is also planning to provide them with additional fishing equipment and devices.
David said that they are also excited for the members of the media to also join the third civilian-led mission to the WPS on May 25, 2025, bringing with them peace and soldarity through the collective power and unyielding force of music and artistry.
“We would like to civilianize the WPS, not only with Filipino artists, but with other foreign artists based on international ruled-based for a peace and solidarity concert and that our EEZ is also a peace and solidarity zone,” David said.
“The third mission is aimed to promote peace and solidarity through cultural exchange and mutual respect. We want to support local communities and hopefully to encourage regional cooperation,” she added.
“On May 25, 2025, we plan the third mission in the WPS to engage some 100 civilian volunteers to join us in our mission and other foreign fisherfolk to join us in the peace and solidarity concert to enhance regional security, not only to widen the awareness on what China has been doing in the WPS such as ‘bullying’,” David said.
“We have a continuous fund-raising or donation so that by May 25, 2025, we will be able to help the fisherfolk in the WPS,” she added.
Popular folk singer Noel Cabangon and the all-women rock group Rogue also pledged their support, underscoring music’s power in raising awareness and mobilizing public action.
Cabangon expressed his gratitude to the Atin Ito Coalition and the other artists who are behind the third civilian-led mission to the WPS.
He said “it’s good to use music and culture to defend the sovereignty in the WPS.”
“It is our duty, our role to be part of this campaign and to use our talent to express our feelings for what will be good for the Filipinos,” he added.
“It’s really a great opportunity for us to contribute. If the countries, if the regions won’t collaborate, 6 out of 10 people will be affected. This is very important work. We are proud to be part of it,” the Rouge Band, who is marking its 12 years this month, said during the press conference. ###
