TAIPEI: Taiwan recalled its representative to the Philippines, froze applications for work permits and ordered military exercises in waters between the two sides, saying Manila’s earlier response to the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman was “informal and insincere.”
Premier Jiang Yi-huah said the government was displeased with the apology delivered last week by Manila Economic and Cultural Office resident representative in Taipei Antonio Basilio.
Taiwan will not accept anything short of a Philippine government apology, he said.
“The shooting was conducted by one of its civil servants, and its government could not evade the responsibility,” Jiang said, adding that Taiwan wants to be informed about whether the culprit would be charged, jailed or dismissed.
In a last ditch effort to ease tensions, MECO chairman Amadeo Perez Jr – accompanied by MECO director Manuel Dimaculangan – flew to Taipei to personally deliver President Aquino’s message of apology.
“The President has appointed Perez as his personal representative who will convey his and the Filipino people’s deep regret and apology to the family of Mr Hung Shi-chen as well as to the people of Taiwan over the unfortunate and unintended loss of life,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said at Malacañang.
Taiwan earlier had issued an ultimatum to the Philippines to apologise to the family of the fisherman who died in a shooting last week by the Philippine Coast Guard in waters off the northern Philippines.
“Due to the Philippines government’s insufficient... sincerity and its inconsistency, President Ma Ying-jeou expresses strong dissatisfactions and he cannot accept the reckless and perfunctory responses from the Philippines,” the Presidential Office said in a statement.
After a high-level meeting, it added that Taiwan decided to immediately impose sanctions, including the recall of its representative and a freeze on work permit applications. More than 85,000 Filipinos work in Taiwan, many as domestic workers.
Further measures could also be imposed, Jiang said, including an end to visa-free access to Taiwan for Philippine nationals and stopping economic exchanges.
In Manila, the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) said the effect of Taiwan’s call for a freeze in the hiring of Filipino workers has yet to be felt.
“No effect so far,” said Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
But she said they are now eyeing other markets like South Korea and the Middle East if things turn from bad to worse.
Separately, a Taiwan Defence Ministry official said military vessels and aircraft would be dispatched to the Bashi Channel, which divides Taiwan and the Philippines, to carry out a two-day military drill.
The Philippines and Taiwan, as well as China, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, are embroiled in diplomatic rows over territory in the nearby South China Sea, potentially rich in oil and gas and crisscrossed by crucial shipping lanes. The disputes have sometimes escalated to confrontation between vessels.
The Philippines and Taiwan have overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZ) in waters to the Philippines’ north.
Lacierda, meanwhile, appealed to Taiwanese not to harass Filipino workers or tourists in Taipei. He also urged Taipei to reconsider its decision to stop hiring of Filipino workers.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
