In the Philippines, people have gathered for a charity concert to support the fishing community and military personnel in the South China Sea who are coming under the threat of China's increasing maritime assertiveness.

Some 900 people, mostly students, joined the musical event in Metro Manila on Wednesday night to honor people fishing and working as military personnel in the South China Sea.

The move comes as China is taking increasingly coercive actions against Philippine vessels in the waters.
In a number of cases, Philippine military transport ships have been obstructed and their fishermen driven out of their fishing grounds by Chinese ships.

At the event, attendees donated goods such as food or medicine. Organizers say the supplies will be delivered to people working in the waters during Christmas time.

One participant said she did it for the cause of helping them in the little ways that she can.

Noel Cabangon, one of the organizers of the event, said the Philippines is no match against the might of the Chinese government but that they have the arts and music to be able to galvanize the Filipino people.

The organizers call for more donations through until about the 10th of December and say they will cooperate with the authorities to deliver them by ship to those working in the sea.