Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28) — Authorities have greenlighted the civilian-led Christmas convoy to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) – but the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal will remain off limits.
Both the National Security Council (NSC) and the Atin Ito! Coalition agreed last Friday that a convoy to the BRP Sierra Madre \”would not be advisable at this time\” for safety reasons.
\”Nonetheless, the planned Christmas convoy will pass through the general vicinity of Ayungin Shoal as far as practicable, on its way to other selected PH-occupied features to bring Christmas cheer directly to our troops assigned to those areas as well as to our fisherfolk,\” said NSC assistant director and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya in a statement Tuesday.
The NSC added that the convoy will also bring goods to Filipino troops assigned on Pag-asa Island.
\”By visiting the other PH-occupied features, the Christmas convoy will be able to visit a vaster area of the WPS and bring Christmas cheer directly to more fisherfolk and frontliners,\” the agency said.
The coalition agreed that Christmas gifts and donated supplies for BRP Sierra Madre will be turned over to the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard for delivery in the next regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions.
Atin Ito! said the agreement between the two parties \”underscores the significance of finding a common ground in the defense of the West Philippine Sea.\”
The NSC earlier thumbed down the group’s proposed donation drive for soldiers stationed at BRP Sierra Madre on Dec. 5 due to tensions between China and the Philippines.
The BRP Sierra Madre – a World War II-era ship – was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as the country’s outpost in the WPS.
