By Aileen Lor
The West Philippine Sea (WPS) civilian expedition will go according to plan, organisers announced on Monday, despite the alleged big force of Chinese boats en route to Scarborough Shoal.
Rafaela David, the Atin Ito coalition’s co-convener, stated that they will continue with the mission and that they are “undeterred by intimidation.”:
Ray Powell, a former defence attaché and US Air Force official who is keeping an eye on the situation in the WPS, claimed that China is deploying a “huge force” to blockade Scarborough Shoal ahead of the Philippines’ civilian mission to the region.
A spokesman for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), stated that Powell’s report is a “safe forecast.”
According to Tarriela, the PCG would ensure the civilian mission participants are safe despite the Chinese warship’s presence in the area.
The civilian mission will run from May 14 to May 17, which will send a message to China, the dedication of Filipinos to its commitment to protecting sovereignty.
