Taiwan will lift all the stricter rules imposed Feb. 8 on handling applications of Filipino workers in response to the demonstrations of good will by the Philippine government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said March 15.
This move follows the visit of Philippine presidential envoy Manuel Roxas II, who met President Ma Ying-jeou and MOFA Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang for the second time a day earlier to mend the relations soured by last month’s deportation of 14 ROC nationals suspected of fraud to mainland China.
“The Philippine government has taken actions as a way of apology, which is in line with our expectations,” the MOFA said. “Therefore, the ROC government has decided to rescind all the earlier rigorous regulations on Filipino workers, effective immediately.”
According to MOFA, the visa review time of Philippine work applications will be reduced from four months back to between seven and 12 days. Taiwan also agreed to restore visa-free entry privileges for Philippine citizens already holding visas to Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., U.S. and Schengen Area.
In a joint press release MOFA issued with Roxas March 14, the two sides said they have agreed to fast track setting up a joint crime-fighting mechanism and inking of a mutual legal assistance pact, so as to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents in the future.
Taipei and Manila will also initiate a feasibility study on an Economic Partnership Agreement to further bilateral ties, MOFA said.
According to the ministry, after Roxas’ first visit in February, the Philippine government agreed to establish a direct contact channel with the Manila-based Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
The stepping down of Ronaldo Ledesma, acting commissioner of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, and Faizal Hussin, head of BOI’s Intelligence Division, is also believed to be part of the punitive measures the Philippine government took against their negligence on the deportation case. (HZW)
Write to Audrey Wang at audrey@mail.gio.gov.tw