Fil-Am advocates for PH sovereignty vow support for the next convoy to Ayungin Shoal

LOS ANGELES – The National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea (NYMWPS), which has chapters across the United States, plans to support the next civilian-led mission to Ayungin Shoal.

NYMWPS founder and Global Chair Celia Lamkin said they will provide “full and unequivocal” support to the summer mission being planned by Atin Ito Coalition.

“We’re happy to see the growing and broadening awareness, and bolder actions by citizens, civil society, party-list groups and political leaders,” she said.

Lamkin said their Philippine-based members this week turned over Christmas gifts and relief goods for the troops at the BRP Sierra Madre at WESCOM in Puerto Princesa.

NYMWPS members turn over Christmas gifts and relief goods for the troops at the BRP Sierra Madre at WESCOM in Puerto Princesa. CONTRIBUTED

The inaugural mission was cut short after the flotilla of 40 fishing boats loaded with donated goods and Christmas gifts for fisherfolk and frontliners had to turn back after it was shadowed by several Chinese vessels.

Organizers of the WPS Christmas convoy said they were going to find creative ways to complete the next mission, learning from their experience with the inaugural mission.

“We want to send a strong message that a small country like us, the Philippines will not be silenced or bullied by China,” said Rafaela David, president of Akbayan Party, co-convenor of Atin Ito, in a statement.

For the past eight years, the NYMWPS has launched initiatives to increase public awareness of the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

It held 14 international conferences to gain support from the international community and led outreach and gift-giving programs for military troops at BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, and the civilian and military residents of Pag-asa Island.

The group also helped renovate the Pag-asa Elementary School and provided food, school supplies and musical instruments for the students. They also donated medical equipment and medicine to the health center and provided the fisherfolk with fishing tools.

Lamkin said the Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) community currently needs health care services, elementary and high school buildings, big fishing boats, safety gadgets for the fisherfolk and reliable wifi connectivity.

“We encourage the private sector to continue their support beyond the  civilian flotilla, to provide more consistent aid to the communities around the West Philippine Sea,” she said.

“The alleviation of poverty in the WPS areas has been severely overshadowed by the political rhetoric around the conflicting territorial claims on these areas.”

NYMWPS has chapters in New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Hawaii.