About 250 Zambales fisherfolk launched a symbolic sea action on Sunday to mark the start of a week-long commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral victory on the West Philippine Sea.
The activity took place early Sunday, July 5, in Subic, Zambales. Fishermen and volunteers gathered along the shoreline to prepare about 80 small fishing boats and six mother boats. The boats were set to sail into Subic Bay and form a giant Philippine flag along with the message “WPS, ATIN ITO!” through coordinated formations.
The sea action was organized by the Atin Ito Coalition in partnership with the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, the Subic Commercial Fishers Association, and the Samahan ng Cabangan-3 Fishermen’s Unity. A short program was scheduled to follow onshore.
The event comes days before the July 12 anniversary of the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. That decision invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under international law.