Chinese vessels shadow Atin Ito ship near Pagasa Island

Atin Ito Coalition reported on Tuesday morning that two Chinese Coast Guard vessels were shadowing their ship en route to Pagasa Island for a civilian mission.

The group departed from El Nido, Palawan early Tuesday and returned to Manila successfully after completing their mission on Thursday, May 29, with the Philippine Navy escorting them back as of Thursday afternoon.

Chinese and Philippine sides exchanged radio challenges during the mission, which included a concert and supply distribution for fisherfolk on Pag-asa Island until May 30.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed two vessels to escort the civilian convoy and assert that the area lies within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone according to UNCLOS.

Beijing's claims over almost all of the South China Sea continue to raise tensions, with parts falling under Philippine territory renamed as West Philippine Sea by the government.