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MANILA (UPDATED) — A civilian-led convoy that will bring gifts and donations for Christmas began its journey to areas in the West Philippine Sea on Friday.

Some 40 volunteers from the Atin 'To coalition joined the first leg of the Christmas expedition from Manila to Palawan on board the MV Kapitan Oca, which would serve as the convoy's mothership.

ABS-CBN News was the only media organization on board the ship so far, but more volunteers, fishers, and journalists are expected to join the expedition once it reaches El Nido.

Fishermen from Bataan said they joined the mission as part of efforts to assert the country's rights in the face of Chinese presence in the West Philippine Sea.

"Isa po kami sa apektado sa issue sa West Philippine Sea, nangingisda po ako. Kailangan po maging aktibo kami para maipakita natin sa kapwa mangingisda na kami ay concerned sa ganitong issues," said Maureen Ignacio, president of Mabayo Agri Aqua Association in Bataan.

"Sa pangingisda ng member namin, pumupunta talaga sila sa pinangingisdaan, kapag nagpupunta, ibig sabihin itataboy sila ng mga chinese, kesa makipaggitgitan sila, sa south na po sila nangingisda," she added.

For fisherman Gerald Ignacio, the West Philippine Sea remains as one of the prime fishing grounds, so we have to assert our rights.

"Pinakamasagana sanang pangisdaan ang West Philippine Sea at Scarborough Shoal, marami talagang magagandang isda niyan nung araw nun di pa sinasakop ng China," he said.

"Kokonti na nang nahuhuli, mataas pa ang konsumo nila. Di Tulad noon sa WPS sigurado ang nahuhuling isda ay first class katumbas nito ay malaking halaga na kita ng ating mga mangingisda," Ignacio added.

Aside from fisherfolk, youth leaders also joined the mission.

"Hindi natin maiaalis ang pangamba pero kagaya ng sinasabi lagi, kailangan natin wag magpakain sa takot dahil atin naman po talaga ito," said Matthew Silverio of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.

"Pinapakita natin na dapat binibigyan natin ng kahalagahan yung mga kababayan, mga mamamayan natin sa West PH Sea," he added.

The organizers are hoping the mission will be peaceful all throughout.

"For Christmas lang din, isa itong humanitarian pgtulong sa mga komunidad sa Palawan, inaasahan natin magiging mapayapa, maging peaceful paglalakbay, walang intimidation mula sa China," said Louis Cruz Pagunsan of Akbayan Youth, one of the organizers of the mission.

"Sa tingin ko hindi naman tayo dapat natatakot na pumunta sa lugar na pag-aari naman ng ating bansa. Ang ginagawa natin ay pagbisita lamang din sa mga kababayan natin. Hindi po sya dapat ikatakot," she added.

Pagunsan admitted having some anxiety with the mission.

"Na-excite ako na medyo kinakabahan, pero lamang ang excitement sa akin kasi ito abg kauna unahang civil movement papunta sa teritorry sa Ayungin Shoal sa WPS," she added.

The convoy will sail near Ayungin Shoal, where BRP Sierra Madre is grounded, but will head to Pag-asa Island to visit troops and residents there, the National Security Council earlier said.

Resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre by civilian boats escorted by Philippine Coast Guard ships have been met with Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels that have used blocking maneuvers and water cannons to deter the Filipino vessels.

The NSC said the convoy would visit Pag-asa Island to visit troops and residents and to turn over donations that would be delivered to the BRP Sierra Madre in the next rotation and resupply mission.

The mission proper will start from December 10 and is expected to be back in Palawan on December 13.

• NSC: Consider other West Philippine Sea features for Christmas convoy