More than 200 participants will sail to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea from April 30 to May 5, 2026, as the Atin Ito Coalition prepares for its fourth civilian mission to Philippine territorial waters.
The MV Kapitan Felix Oca, a 5,000-gross-ton vessel that has served as the coalition’s primary ship in previous deployments, will carry the delegation, which includes fisherfolk leaders, artists, volunteers, and local and foreign media. The ML Chowee — first used during Atin Ito’s inaugural December 2023 mission — will accompany it as a support and supply vessel.
Among the mission’s centerpiece activities is what the coalition is calling a “Patriotic Jetski Flag Ride,” to be led by Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula alongside Atin Ito youth volunteers. Participants will wave Philippine flags aboard jetskis in the waters off Pag-asa Island as a peaceful assertion of Filipino presence in the area.
Atin Ito Civilian Mission Commander Rafaela David told reporters the deployment is part of a deliberate effort to make civilian access to the island routine. “Tuloy na tuloy ang ating mission papunta sa Pag-asa Island. We want to make sure na sustained ang ating pag-civilianize sa WPS… para ipakita na dapat i-regularize natin na ordinaryong Pilipino ang nakaka-access sa Pag-asa Island sa WPS,” she said.
Pag-asa Island is the largest feature in the Kalayaan Island Group, a cluster of islands, reefs, shoals, and cays that form part of Palawan province’s municipality of Kalayaan, situated roughly 280 to 300 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa City. It serves as the municipal seat of Kalayaan and is the most developed and populated island in the group.
The mission will also include what the coalition describes as the first-ever island concert in the area, as well as fuel and food deliveries to fishing communities hit by rising fuel costs.
David said contingency measures have been built into every aspect of the operation. “Para sa atin, ang safety of our volunteers is paramount. Sisiguraduhin natin na lahat ng elements ng ating mission ay may karampatang contingency measures para masigurado na ligtas ang ating paglalayag,” she said.
The operational details were disclosed by the coalition on Monday, according to GMA News Online.
