Last May, a flotilla of over 100 Filipino civilian boats traveled to Philippine waters claimed by China. Organized by the Atin Ito collation, it was a dangerous expedition that sailed past China’s military ships. After delivering supplies to fishermen, placing “Atin Ito” markers, and returning to the Luzon mainland unscathed, the coalition declared the mission a victory. Emman Hizon, co-convenor of the Atin Ito coalition, describes to Howie Severino the risks and tensions on the high seas, and their meticulous preparation to avoid harassment by China’s maritime forces.

We want to normalize civilian missions to WPS — Emman Hizon of Atin Ito No one sees an end soon to the standoff in the West Philippine Sea. But organizers of the recent civilian missions to Philippine waters claimed by China want to see more of the same by people from various walks of life, helping unite Filipinos around a common assertion of sovereignty. In the battle of narratives, they say, that’s already a victory over China. Emman Hizon, co-convenor of the Atin Ito coalition, tells Howie Severino that the issue of the WPS has fueled the rise of a new Filipino nationalism. Where nationalists in a previous era were allied with China, younger generations are seeing China as an adversary and the US as less of a threat.