South China Sea Convoj causes Beijing Territorial Association star-news.press/wp

The coalition of Philippine civilians went to their third mission to defy the Chinese territorial claims in the southern Chinese sea.

While Attin ITO coalition-tagalog for “This is ours,” the possible challenge from Chinese assertive coast watch, the volunteers have tried to send a “message of peace and unity”, said Rafael David spokesman on Monday.

Why is it important

China claims that sovereignty over approximately 90 percent of the southern Chinese must, reference to “historical rights”, despite the decision of the Hague Arbitration Court for 2016. year rejection of receivables as incompatible with the Naval Law.

Chinese expansive moves in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines are filled with the return. The result was spiral tension and dramatic disruption between the Government forces of countries, raising concerns due to the potential conflict that could initiate Filipipons Agreement on Mutual Defense with the United States.

Newsweek Special for the Chinese Foreign Ministry by Email for Comment.

What to know

More than 150 volunteers – including activists, fishermen, musicians and civic and church leaders – are placed on the island of Thit that controls the Philippines on Tuesday morning as part of the convoy focused on the civilian vessel Captain Felix Father.

Tensions over the Thitu, the only inhabited characteristics in the area of ​​the Spratly Islands Archipelo and the home of the modest army, was placed in recent days.

Last week, the Chinese Coast Guard was executed by close blocking maneuvers and arranged his watermakers, while trying to drive from Filipino Fisheries, that Manila said that Manila who supported the scientific mission.

The group said it was aimed at distributing inventories such as food, medications and fuel local fishermen and services stationed on a garrison. Contractors will also hold a concert on the island as a message of solidarity.

“We don’t claim the territory. We claim that ordinary Philipinos has a stakehold,” David told reporters before departure from Manila on Monday. “We will not be intimidated.”

The Filipino Coast Guard said he arranged one of his largest patrol ships, the BRP Melchora Aquinoalong with smaller BRP Malapascuato escort Felix Father.

From hour by local time, two Chinese coasts are respected.

Chinese ships allegedly issued the radio challenges by claiming Chinese receivables and quoting “domestic and international law”, while rejecting an arbitral decision 2016. years.

“In response to an unauthorized patrol by the Chinese coastal guard, the Philippine coastal vessels launched radio communication for challenging (Cart Guard receivables) 3306.

What do people say

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Spokesperson of the Philippine Navy, told Newsweek: “We are not guessing about the actions of any opponent. Still, we are ready to answer any threat that can face the Athens of the convoy.”

Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, in Statement: “Nansha Qundao, including Textual Jiao, was always Chinese territory. China was a disco-quendo disco.

What happens next

Atin ITO participants are planned to start returning to Manila on Friday.