China Coast Guard Shadows Philippine Civilian Mission

China Coast Guard Harasses Civilian Mission to Pag-asa Island On May 27, 2025, a civilian mission to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea was shadowed by two Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels. This incident, captured in a News5 report, highlights the ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. The mission, part of the 'Atin Ito' coalition, was conducting a peaceful activity. "We have the right to conduct this peaceful mission," stated Rafaela David, co-convenor of the Atin Ito coalition, in an interview conducted onboard the vessel. Captain Jorge Dela Cruz of the civilian vessel TS Capitan Felix Oca added, "When they started performing dangerous maneuvers, that's when we knew we had to abort the mission." The CCG ships maintained a distance of six to eight nautical miles, operating within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. The Philippine Coast Guard responded by providing escort to the civilian vessel. The incident underscores the continued challenges in upholding the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. Despite the CCG's actions, the 'Atin Ito' coalition's commitment to peaceful engagement remains steadfast.