The national government has allowed a civilian-led organization to proceed with its "Christmas convoy" in the West Philippine Sea except for BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal due to security reasons.
In a statement, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said they had a meeting with ATIN ITO Coalition leaders last week in the planned civilian-led Christmas convoy to the West Philippine Sea.
"Both parties agreed that a convoy to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal would not be advisable at this time since the safety of the civilian convoy is of paramount consideration. 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," Malaya said.
The said convoy will visit and bring goods to Filipino troops in Pagasa Island, the spokesperson said.
"There, Christmas gifts and donated supplies for BRP Sierra Madre will be turned over to the Philippine Navy-AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and to the Philippine Coast Guard for delivery during the regular rotation and resupply missions. By visiting the other Philippine-occupied features, the Christmas Convoy will be able to visit a vast area of the WPS and bring Christmas cheer directly to more fisherfolk and frontliners," he added.
"We thank Atin Ito! Coalition for their cooperation and for finding common ground with the government in asserting and defending our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in pursuit of the national interest," Malaya said
