Christmas convoy aborts WPS mission after shadowing by Chinese vessels

CNN Philippines

A civilian-led mission in the West Philippine Sea had to turn back over the weekend as Chinese vessels awaited their arrival at Ayungin Shoal.  Senior correspondent Gerg Cahiles was among those on board the so-called Christmas convoy.   Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 "Sir, what did the captain say?"

00:05 "Okay, ma'am. Stay on our course, ma'am. Then we will give you our advice, ma'am."

00:10 "Sir, if that's the case, will you return?"

00:12 "We will return, ma'am. I'll meet you."

00:15 Tension was high inside the bridge of TS-Captain Felix Oka Sunday afternoon

00:20 when Chinese vessels started to circle the vessel.

00:23 "Sir, did they reduce the speed?"

00:25 "No, we will return."

00:28 No radio challenge. No communication at all from the foreign ships.

00:33 The captain of the civilian vessel thinks the aggressive actions speak louder than words.

00:39 "Chinese vessels are approaching. They are not calling us."

00:45 "It's really dismaying because we can see how far China is doing to us.

00:52 We are still here in our waters. We are not there yet in the Sabina and Ayunginshol, but you can feel their presence."

01:01 At 5 in the afternoon, the captain of TS-Captain Felix Oka decided to just turn around

01:08 and go back to mainland Palawan after we saw several Chinese vessels surrounding our ship.

01:16 "So we are seeing over there a Chinese Coast Guard vessel.

01:23 Earlier we also saw two Chinese Navy vessels and there's also one Chinese militia vessel in the vicinity.

01:32 After 16 hours of voyage, the captain says we cannot compromise our safety.

01:38 If we proceed to Patag Island, they will just tail us, follow us, and harass us probably.

01:44 So for the safety of everyone in this ship, we are going back to mainland Palawan."

01:51 The initial plan was for the Christmas convoy to pass by Ayunginshol where the BRP Sierra Madre stationed.

01:58 But with the intense confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels on day noon,

02:02 the organizers of the civilian supply mission decided to skip it for the meantime

02:07 and proceed to Lawak and Patag Islands.

02:10 While a mass was ongoing on the ship deck, the people's attention was diverted to the speeding Chinese vessels.

02:17 It even reached the point where the Chinese Coast Guard caught BRP Malchorra Aquino

02:22 just to get near TS-Captain Felix Oka.

02:25 "He was really head on. He was head on us.

02:28 He approached us and asked why we needed him.

02:31 His speed was 21 knots.

02:33 If this ship is going to be used, I will tell the boss that I will not be allowed to go.

02:41 It's unsafe."

02:42 "This battle is not going to hurt anyone."

02:45 Volunteers turned emotional with the unexpected ending of the Christmas convoy.

02:50 While they were not able to finish the mission,

02:52 they promised to return and assert their right in a place they called their own.

02:58 From the West Philippine Sea, George Kahiles, CNN Philippines.

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