The National Security Council (NSC) said Tuesday, Nov. 21, that it will not support any civilian mission in Ayungin (Second) Shoal in time for the Christmas season. This, after the Atin Ito coalition, a group of advocates fighting for the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), announced an all-civilian Christmas convoy to the atoll, which is the center of recent tension between the Philippines and China due to a territorial dispute, on Dec. 5.

Sadongdong, M. (2023, November 22). NSC shuns civilian Christmas trip to Ayungin Shoal. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.