A Filipino supply boat carrying Christmas presents for fishers, troops, and coastguard crews successfully evaded interception by Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea. The festive flotilla, initially shadowed and forced to turn back, saw a smaller supply boat, ML Chowee, slipping past Chinese vessels to deliver Christmas gifts.
Initially facing the threat of cancellation, the Christmas mission, organized by volunteers to bring joy to those in the South China Sea, encountered obstacles when shadowed and intercepted by four Chinese vessels, including navy ships and a coastguard ship.
Undeterred, the smaller supply boat managed to reach Lawak Island at 5 am on Monday, independent of the main convoy of about 40 festively decorated boats. Rafaela David, an organizer, expressed her joy at the successful delivery, with Christmas presents, including solar lamps, medicines, vitamins, toys, and traditional food packages, reaching their intended recipients.
“At the end of the day, that’s the most crucial aspect of the mission – that we are able to deliver the Christmas gifts,” said David, the president of the Akbayan party, part of the coalition that organized the trip.
Facing frustration and tears from some volunteers on the mother ship when the captain deemed it too dangerous to continue, organizers highlighted the decision was made after being shadowed by Chinese vessels, including navy ships and a coastguard ship.
China’s claim over the South China Sea, disputed by the Philippines, escalated tensions during the mission. The decision to divert attention with a larger festive flotilla while the critical supply boat took an alternative route proved successful.
The delivery follows a tense weekend marked by accusations of “unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous manoeuvres” by Chinese vessels, resulting in damage to Filipino vessels and equipment. Organizers aimed to send a message of resilience against bullying and to support communities affected by overfishing and harassment.
Despite the challenges, volunteers are determined to continue similar missions in the future, emphasizing the normalization of Filipino presence in the West Philippine Sea.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
