The Atin Ito coalition of civil society groups has launched two convoys to highly contested and, ergo, risky parts of the West Philippine Sea: Ayungin Shoal in December 2023, and Scarborough Shoal in May 2024. Both expeditions faced harassment from Chinese government vessels, yet both arguably succeeded in their missions.
This, of course, isn’t to China’s liking. But what China doesn’t seem to understand is that Atin Ito is genuinely fueled by the citizenry — civilians, not government agents. China has spread propaganda disparaging Atin Ito and portraying it as a lackey of the government/s of the US and/or the Philippines.
Thankfully, though, the disinformation from China doesn’t seem to stick, based on a study by Rappler. Our editor-at-large Marites Vitug tells us more in this episode. – Rappler.com
Presenter, writer: Marites Vitug
Producer: JC Gotinga
Videographer: Franz Lopez
Video editor: JP San Pedro
Graphic artists: Marian Hukom, Nico Villarete
Supervising producer: Beth Frondoso