A Japanese artist is set to join Atin Ito Coalition's third civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea in May.

At a press conference in Quezon City on Monday,the coalition announced their third supply mission and a "Peace and Solidarity Sea Concert" on May 25 to " serve as both a symbolic and cultural assertion of the Philippines' sovereignty, rights as a nation, and territorial integrity".

According to Akbayan Partylist President and Atin Ito Co-Convenor Rafaela David, Japanese artist Fumiya Sankai expressed his support for the third mission of the coalition in a video message.

"I will join the peace concert on May 25 to show my solidarity to all the claimants of the West Philippine Sea. I am for respecting each other's sovereignty so let's jump and sing our hearts out and ride the waves of music", Sankai stated in the video presented during the presscon.

David said that the mission will be provided to Coast Guard, frontliners, and fisherfolk groups in the area.

The Atin Ito Coalition conducted their first and second civilian missions in the West Philippine Sea in December 2023 and May 2024, respectively. Their first mission was intercepted by Chinese ships which led to the captain's decision to turn backs to avoid escalation.

"We learned a lot of lessons from the first and second mission and ... we will make sure to include it in the plans to ensure a mission success in the end", David said

"Through the power of art and collective action, we will fight for what is rightfully ours ... with the unyielding force of music and solidarity", she added

David said that they are looking into holding the event foraround three days.

Renowned artists Noel Cabangon and an all-women rock group Rouge will join Sankai.

"We're still finalizing the line up for the concert. May this (press briefing) serve also as an invitation to not just Filipino artists but even artists from peace loving nations that would like to jam and show China that through peaceful means like music we will fight (for our territory)", David said. Marie Manalili/DMS