Philippines President Benigno Aquino apologises for shooting of Taiwanese fisherman Taiwanese President had listed four demands for the lifting of sanctions By Gilbert P. Felongco, CorrespondentPublished: 15:35 August 8, 2013 Manila: President Benigno Aquino III reiterated his apology to the family of a Taiwanese fisherman slain during the May 9 sea incident amid reports that Taipei may lift its sanctions as a result of this development. Amadeo Perez, chair of the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taiwan, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), personally delivered Aquino’s apology to the family of Hung Shih-Chen, the 65-year-old fisherman who was killed after Philippine Coast Guard personnel fired at the Taiwanese vessel. Hung was a member of the crew of the Taiwanese fishing boat, “Guang Ta Hsin 28” which had intruded in Philippine waters in the Balintang Channel, “I have been authorised by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to personally convey the President’s and the Filipino people’s deep regret and apology to the family of Mr Hung Shih-Chen over the unfortunate loss of life of their loved one. I regret that I did not have this opportunity when I came to Taiwan last May 15, 2013 but nevertheless I do so now with my sorrow undiminished,” he said. “I wish to inform you that the results of the NBI investigation have been released and criminal complaints shall be filed with the Philippine National Prosecution Service and the Department of Justice is committed to prosecute the crimes at the soonest possible time,” Perez was quoted as saying in reports prior to his departure to Taiwan from Manila on Thursday. Perez had earlier apologised to Taiwan several days after the shooting incident that involved the crew of the coast guard ship MCS 3001, but Taiwan did not heed this apology and proceeded to impose a list of sanctions which included banning new visa applications for Filipinos who want to work in Taiwan as well as suspension of bilateral exchanges. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou had listed four demands for the lifting of the sanctions. These include a formal apology, punishment of those responsible for the shooting, compensation for the bereaved family of the fisherman as well as bilateral fishery talks to avoid similar incidents in the future. On Wednesday, the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) released its findings of a probe called by Justice Department Secretary Leila de Lima into the incident. The NBI inquiry recommended that eight personnel of the MCS 3001 be charged with homicide and four other coastguardsmen be found liable for “obstruction of justice.” Reports reaching Manila said that as a result of Aquino’s apology, Taiwan might lift is sanctions. The Focus Taiwan News Channel reported on Thursday that Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would recommend that the government lift its sanctions against Manila, once the Philippines meets Taiwan’s demands. The sanctions have had considerable consequence for the Philippines, a country with an estimated 90,000 citizens who work as indentured labour in Taiwan. The Philippines and Taiwan have no formal diplomatic ties.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 07:13:54 +0000
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