Stricter rules for handling Filipino applications to work in Taiwan were partially lifted March 9, following demonstrations of good will by the Philippine government about last month’s deportation of 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to mainland China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
“Amadeo R. Perez Jr., chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the Philippine representative office in Taiwan, has confirmed that Ronaldo P. Ledesma, acting commissioner of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, has stepped down due to mishandling of the case,” Foreign Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang said.
“The MECO also reiterated its ‘deepest regrets’ over the dispute in a letter sent to the MOFA March 8,” Yang added.
In addition, the minister said, the MECO statement noted that investigations into the actions of officials involved in the incident are still ongoing, including the possibility of punitive measures, which, the MECO said, would signify a form of apology to Taiwan.
In light of these acts of good will, Yang said, the MOFA has decided to abolish a more rigorous regulation imposed earlier on prospective Filipino workers requiring them to include a social insurance card in their employment application package.
According to the MOFA, other actions taken against the Philippines in protest over the deportation case have yet to be rescinded. These include stricter standards in screening applications by Philippine workers, suspension of visa-free entry privileges for Philippine citizens holding visas to such places as the European Union and U.S. and the recall of ROC Representative Donald Lee.
“Decisions on further lifting these restrictions will be made after the trip by Philippine presidential envoy Manuel Roxas II, who is expected to visit Taipei for the second time to mend the friendship between the two countries,” MOFA officials said.
The MECO letter, the officials noted, said Manila has initiated steps to establish a joint crime-fighting mechanism with Taipei and offered assurances that similar incidents will not happen again.
“The Philippine government also said it has started arrangements for a joint feasibility study on an Economic Partnership Agreement with Taiwan,” the MOFA added. (THN)
Write to Audrey Wang at audrey@mail.gio.gov.tw