TULOY ang “Christmas Convoy” na inorganisa ng civilian organization para sa mga mangingisda at frontliners sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Iyon nga lamang, kailangang sundin ng mga lider ng organisasyon ang posisyon ng gobyerno na hindi sila pupunta sa BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) sa Ayungin Shoal dahil sa security reasons.

“The National Security Council (NSC) met with the leaders of Atin Ito! Coalition last week where — after a constructive dialogue — there was a meeting of the minds in the planned civilian-led Christmas Convoy to the WPS,” ayon kay NSC spokesperson at Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya sa isang kalatas.

Ani Malaya, kapwa sumang-ayon ang magkabilang panig na ang civilian convoy sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal ay hindi ipinapayo sa ngayon.

“Nonetheless, the planned Christmas Convoy will pass through the general vicinity of Ayungin Shoal as far as practicable, on its way to other selected Philippine-occupied features to bring Christmas cheer directly to our troops assigned to those areas as well as to our fisherfolk,” ayon kay Malaya.

Aniya, ang convoy ay bibisita at magdadala ng pagkain sa Filipino troops sa Pag Asa Island.

“There, Christmas gifts and donated supplies for BRP Sierra Madre will be turned over to the Philippine Navy-AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and to the Philippine Coast Guard for delivery during the regular rotation and resupply missions. By visiting the other Philippine-occupied features, the Christmas Convoy will be able to visit a vast area of the WPS and bring Christmas cheer directly to more fisherfolk and frontliners,” dagdag na wika nito.

Tinuran ni Malaya na tinitiyak sa kasunduan ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng convoy maliban pa sa pagtiyak sa napapanahong paghahatid ng donated items sa mga Filipino fisherfolk at frontliners sa WPS.

“This also upholds the Philippines’ sovereign rights to the WPS,” ayon pa rin kay Malaya.

(CHRISTIAN DALE)