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Father Robert Reyes leads a mass for the send-off ceremony of the Atin Ito civilian mission, May 14, 2024. Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News

Father Robert Reyes leads a mass for the send-off ceremony of the Atin Ito civilian mission, May 14, 2024.

Article (news)

Atin Ito civilian mission

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1715685336048051424_Atin Ito.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Father Robert Reyes leads a mass for the send-off ceremony of the Atin Ito civilian mission, May 14, 2024. Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Father Robert Reyes leads a mass for the send-off ceremony of the Atin Ito civilian mission, May 14, 2024. <em>Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A Magsaysay awardee, running priest, and a Tiktok influencer are among the volunteers joining the second “Atin Ito” civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Magsaysay Awardee Ka Dodoy Ballon, a fisherman from Zamboanga, is joining the mission to show solidarity with Masinloc fishermen.</p><p>&quot;Ito&#x27;y issue ng maliliit na mangingisda na binubully, at pinagbabawalan ng China jan sa West Philippine Sea,&quot; he told ABSCBN News.</p><p>&quot;Kapag hindi yan napigilan dito, baka samin na sa Moro Gulf sa Zamboanga Peninsula, baka ang kami ang kasunod,&quot; Ballon added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/14/2nd-civilian-mission-to-west-philippine-sea-to-avoid-china-water-cannons-843">READ: 2nd civilian mission to West Philippine Sea to avoid China water cannons</a></div><p>Running priest Robert Reyes is once again joining the mission, having joined the first journey last December.</p><p>Instead of bringing a cross, he brought an image of Stella Maris, or the Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea.</p><p>He said if the EDSA 1986 used an image of Our Lady of Fatima, the People Power in the sea will use the image of Stella Maris.</p><p>&quot;I think this is a more crucial and more risky trip. At the moment masyado na rattled ang China, di pa tayo nakakarating don, sila agitated na. The message is more and more Filipinos are getting concerned and asking China and the rest of the world, let&#x27;s respect the decision of UNCLOS,&quot; he said.</p><p>Tiktok creator Mathilda Airlines is also joining the mission.</p><p>Rafaela David, co-convenor of Atin Ito Coalition and Akbayan Party President, said they are not trying to trigger a response from China.</p><p>&quot;Hindi tayo makikipag-patintero o makikipagtitigan sa China,&quot; she said.</p><p>However, she fights back the disinformation being sowed in Chinese media, such as reports of Filipino fishermen allegedly causing tension in the area.</p><p>&quot;These are not just absurd but also desperate. These are attempts to malign legitimate activities of ordinary citizens in our own EEZ. What they&#x27;re saying is as fictitious as their 9-dash line,&quot; she said.</p><p>Five main civilian vessels will join the mission, which is scheduled to sail until Friday.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/14/ph-navy-deploys-warship-increases-patrols-in-escoda-shoal-1741">READ: PH Navy deploys warship, increases patrols in Escoda Shoal</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WgjtLf-8Lik?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div>

<p>A Magsaysay awardee, running priest, and a Tiktok influencer are among the volunteers joining the second “Atin Ito” civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea.</p>

A Magsaysay awardee, running priest, and a Tiktok influencer are among the volunteers joining the second “Atin Ito” civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea.

Magsaysay awardee, ‘running priest’, Tiktok creator among volunteers in civilian mission

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Magsaysay awardee, ‘running priest’, Tiktok creator among volunteers in civilian mission

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 14, 2024 07:34 PM PHT

Read More:

West Philippine Sea

Atin Ito

Philippines

China

civilian mission

Ka Dodoy Ballon

Fr Robert Reyes

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