Student recalls difficulties during Ayungin Christmas voyage

MANILA, Philippines — A student leader who volunteered for the Christmas resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal earlier this month shared his experiences with The STAR on Tuesday.

James Balbuena, a member of Akbayan Youth, was one of the delegates onboard TS Kapitan Felix Oca, which set sail from Manila to El Nido, Palawan on Dec. 10, bringing food supplies for frontliners, communities, and soldiers stationed on Ayungin Shoal stationed on Ayungin Shoal.

Volunteering as part of the Atin ’To coalition, Balbuena found himself thrust into various leadership roles, while facing a formidable opponent: China.

He expected to be a mere participant but was appointed as youth coordinator and later became one of the team leaders.

Balbuena expressed difficulty dealing with responsibilities involving the lives of his fellow crew members, handling activities on the ship and coordinating various tasks, all while shadowed by Chinese vessels.

“It was really hard because it seems like nothing can prepare you for facing a big bully like China and I think nothing even prepared me as well for this position that I had when I was on the ship,” Balbuena said in Filipino.

The most daunting moment, Balbuena said, occurred when Chinese ships, including a warship and the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG), approached the Philippine convoy about 40 nautical miles off Palawan.

With only one Philippine Coast Guard ship alongside them, Balbuena said he took up position on the deck and witnessed the fear and apprehension among the delegates.?The Chinese vessels aggressively approached and at two nautical miles away, the CCG ship aimed its deck towards them, signaling a potential collision.

“The Chinese vessel’s speed was 21 knots compared to the convoy’s 10 knots, indicating their intention to ram the convoy,” Balbuena said.

Reflecting on the living situation during the mission, Balbuena acknowledged the challenging conditions, such as limited food options and communal living spaces but noted the sense of community that emerged among the participants.

“The experience built a strong sense of camaraderie and community, overcoming difficulties faced during the journey together,” he said.

Balbuena emphasized the need for collective action and said all issues in the Philippines are interconnected.

He also stressed the need for a united nation, irrespective of geographical proximity to issues, emphasizing that every Filipino sh ould be involved in addressing the country’s challenges.

“The mission was not just a symbolic act, but a step toward normalizing the assertion of sovereignty, countering fear with a culture of hope and resilience,” he said.

Organized by the Atin Ito coalition – which includes the Akbayan Party, Akbayan Youth, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, Pakisama and other groups advocating for farmers, indigenous peoples and youth – the mission aimed to assert Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.