Jamaine Punzalan

Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177330013946720240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-52.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Atin Ito Coalition said Thursday it would embark on its fourth civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea in April. </p><p>Carrying the theme “Balik Pag-asa” (Return of Hope), the mission will bring participants to Pag-asa Island, which is home to over 500 Filipinos.</p><p>The initiative follows three previous civilian missions it has organized to the West Philippine Sea since 2023.</p><p>Atin Ito Coalition Co-convenor Rafaela David said the upcoming mission aims to respond to multiple challenges facing the country, including alleged <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/10/afp-china-linked-espionage-in-ph-part-of-growing-global-intelligence-trend-1605">espionage</a> and foreign-directed malign activities in the country connected to China, as well as increasing oil prices affecting fishing communities.</p><p>David added that the mission aimed to show defiance against the so-called “Tsinadors” or Filipinos who allegedly parrot China’s propaganda.</p><div><strong>THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES</strong></div><p>The group said the mission has three major objectives.</p><p>The first is to deliver fuel and food assistance to fisherfolk and coastal communities whose livelihoods have been affected by surging oil prices.</p><p>“The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/12/doe-expects-fresh-round-of-fuel-price-hike-next-week-1425">skyrocketing prices of oil </a>are severely impacting small fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea,” David said in a press conference in Quezon City.</p><p>“Through this mission, we call on the government, the business sector, and patriotic citizens to stand with our fisherfolk by helping provide fuel subsidies and other support that will allow them to continue fishing in their own waters despite the crisis,” she continued.</p><p>Atin Ito Coalition Co-convenor Ed dela Torre added that the mission would continue to expand on the group’s campaign to normalize civilian travel to parts of the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“The presence of ordinary Filipino citizens—fishers, youth, civil society leaders and volunteers—is one of the most powerful ways to respond to China’s militarization of the area,” Dela Torre said.</p><p>“Civilian missions are also an act of citizenship transparency, asserting that our seas are not zones of secrecy or intimidation but spaces where Filipinos can freely live, travel and work,” he added. “In the face of growing espionage activities, the best response is more citizens exercising their rights, not fewer.”</p><p>Lastly, David said, the mission would assert “to the world, especially to China and its enablers,” that the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/8/what-is-the-kalayaan-group-of-islands-and-why-is-it-important-to-ph-2056">Kalayaan Island Group (KIG)</a> is an integral part of the Philippines.</p><p>“No intimidation, disinformation campaign, or defeatist proposal from so-called ‘Tsinadors’ can erase the fact that these waters and islands belong to the Filipino people,” she noted.</p><div><strong>TOWN HALL MEETING IN PALAWAN</strong></div><p>Ahead of the mission, the group will hold a West Philippine Sea Pulong Bayan or town hall meeting in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on March 23.</p><p>The gathering will bring together lawmakers from the West Philippine Sea bloc in the House of Representatives, local government officials, church leaders, fisherfolk representatives, youth groups, and civil society organizations.</p><p>David said the event would include a dialogue with fisherfolk affected by tensions and economic pressures in the West Philippine Sea, and a youth and student assembly aimed at mobilizing support for defending the country’s sovereignty and marine resources.</p><p>“The West Philippine Sea is not an abstract geopolitical issue. It is a lifeline for millions of Filipinos, a source of food security, and a living symbol of our sovereignty,” David said.</p><div><strong>PROACTIVE PREPARATIONS</strong></div><p>Details such as the exact dates, participating vessels, and other operational arrangements are still being finalized, according to the group.</p><p>Asked about potential increased risks due to continued aggression by Chinese maritime forces in the West Philippine Sea, David said the coalition was preparing to ensure the mission reaches its destination despite possible challenges.</p><p>“Basta ang klaro sa atin, sa dulo, dapat mission success tayo. Anuman ang gawin ng China, we will react and we will prepare proactively, so we make sure that the supplies needed by the fisherfolk and communities ng Pag-asa ay makarating,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/10/05/22/filipinos-fishing-on-frontline-of-chinas-battle-for-disputed-sea">Filipinos fishing on frontline of China&#x27;s battle for disputed sea</a></div><div><strong>PUSH FOR STRONGER ESPIONAGE LAWS</strong></div><p>Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said lawmakers were pushing for amendments to the country’s espionage law following recent incidents involving Filipinos allegedly linked to spying activities.</p><p>“We are fully supporting present moves to amend the espionage provisions in the Revised Penal Code kasi ang kasalukuyang nandun sa batas natin ay kailangang ma-update. Matagal na iyon, hindi pa in tune with the times today,” Diokno said during the press conference.</p><p>He noted that proposed amendments were being discussed in the House Committee on Revision of Laws.</p><p>Diokno also pushed for the passage of a foreign interference law, saying the country lacked legislation specifically addressing such activities.</p><p>“Dapat malaman natin ang katotohanan, hindi lang dito sa recent incidents ng espionage acts, pero pati na rin ang nangyari last year—mga Chinese nationals who were apprehended for similar acts,” he added.</p><p>The lawmaker also called for continued support for Philippine personnel stationed in Philippine-occupied features in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“Dapat suportahan natin ang ating mga kasama, especially ang West Philippine Sea frontliners natin sa Pag-asa Island,” he said.</p><p>Diokno said the West Philippine Sea bloc in the House of Representatives would continue monitoring developments related to the issue.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/nsc-three-filipinos-detained-for-alleged-espionage-have-confessed-1535">NSC: Three Filipinos detained for alleged espionage have confessed</a></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><iframe width="827" height="465" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_peGRBLoZqI" title="Atin Ito convoy, sinundan ng China Coast Guard" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EW_9r0jjg4Y" title="PCG vessels chased by Chinese ships at Bajo de Masinloc | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Atin Ito Coalition said Thursday it would embark on its fourth civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea in April.</p>

The Atin Ito Coalition said Thursday it would embark on its fourth civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea in April.

Atin Ito to hold 4th West Philippine Sea civilian mission in April

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Atin Ito to hold 4th West Philippine Sea civilian mission in April

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 12, 2026 03:22 PM PHT

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Atin Ito Coalition

civilian mission

West Philippine Sea

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