MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE 2 – 4:28 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Amadeo Perez Jr., chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office as his personal representative to convoy his “deep regret and apology” and that of the Filipino people to Taiwan for the death of fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng.
Hung was shot dead on May 8 by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in circumstances both countries dispute but which has led Taiwan to suspend the issuance of work visas to Filipinos with the threat of more sanctions unless the Philippines apologizes satisfactorily.
More than 80,000 Filipinos work in Taiwan.
An earlier apology from MECO Taipei head Antonio Basilio was rejected by Taiwan as “not enough” and the envoy was sent back to Manila.
Perez has been tasked to deliver an official correspondence to Taiwanese Foreign Minister David Lin on Wednesday expressing regret over the “unfortunate and unintended loss of life.”
He left for Taipei with MECO director Manuel Dimaculangan on China Airlines flight CI701 at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday.
Aquino has also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the death of Hung.
“Upon orders from the President, the National Bureau of Investigation has already started the investigation and is committed to a thorough, exhaustive, impartial and expeditious investigation of the incident. The NBI has given this case the highest priority,” Malacanang spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan Wednesday afternoon.
“We understand the grief and hurt of the family and of the people of Taiwan over this unfortunate loss and we empathize with them,” Lacierda added.
Asked if the government will also be compensating the fisherman’s family, one of the demands of Taipei, Lacierda said: “We are going to ask MECO. MECO will confirm that.”
Lacierda said Perez will also meet with Hung’s family on Thursday.
The Palace spokesman said the letter of apology brought by Perez to Taipei is already the third time government has apologized: the first was by Basilio, the second was issued by deputy Malacanang spokesperson Abigail Valte.
“As far as the Philippine government is concerned, our statement has been very emphatic with respect to our deep regret over the incident and this also an apology to the family of Mr. Hung Shih-Chen,” Lacierda said.
He also hoped Taiwan would “revisit” its decision to freeze the processing of work permit applications for Filipino workers.
“But, nonetheless, the Philippine government is preparing for contingencies,” Lacierda said.
Taiwan President Ma had given a 6 p.m. Wednesday deadline for the Philippines to apologize or face “eight inter-ministerial sanctions.”
Aside from a “formal apology,” Ma is asking that the family of the slain fisherman be compensated, the perpetrator be apprehended, and fishing talks between the two countries be scheduled soon.
Ref: http://www.interaksyon.com/
Tags: apology, Philippines, Taiwan
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