The ROC government launched additional sanctions against Manila May 15 following its unsatisfactory response to the killing of a Taiwan fisherman by Philippines government personnel.
“It is unacceptable that the Philippine government shows no sincerity in resolving the incident and therefore we had no choice but to implement a second wave of sanctions with immediate effect,” Premier Jiang Yi-huah said.
These include issuing a red alert on travel to the Philippines; suspending high-level exchanges such as the ministerial meeting under the World Health Assembly, economic and technology exchanges, investment-soliciting activities, agricultural and fishery cooperation, and aviation negotiations; removing the Philippines from Taiwan’s visa-waiver program; and conducting patrols in the South China Sea by the Ministry of National Defense and Coast Guard Administration.
The new sanctions are in addition to those announced earlier in the day freezing Filipino labor applications, recalling the ROC representative to the Philippines, and ordering Antonio I. Basilio, representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, to return home.
Jiang made the remarks during a 6 p.m. international news conference after Manila failed to satisfy the terms of Taiwan’s 72-hour ultimatum issued midnight May 11.
Issued by President Ma Ying-jeou, the ultimatum required the Philippine government apologize for its May 9 armed attack on Taiwan fishing boat Guang Da Xing No. 28, compensate the victim Hong Shi-cheng’s family, investigate the incident and punish the killers, as well as open bilateral fishery talks without delay.
Raymond Wang, ROC representative to the Philippines, returned to Taiwan on the evening of May 15, while Basilio is scheduled to depart Taiwan in the afternoon of May 16.
According to Jiang, the appointment of MECO Chairman Amadeo R. Perez Jr. as Philippine President Benigno Aquino III’s personal representative in the matter was confirmed at 3:44 p.m. May 15. Perez is authorized to convey the president and the Filipino people’s deep regret and apologize to the Hong family.
“Although we acknowledge this as a formal apology from the Philippine government, we cannot accept the description of Hong’s death as ‘unfortunate and unintended,’” Jiang said. “The fishing boat was riddled with bullet holes, a fact that is impossible to pass off as resulting from unintentional or negligent actions.”
The killing of Hong in the ROC exclusive economic zone has violated international law and is inhumane, the premier said, adding that Taipei would continue condemning the attack and protesting to Manila until the terms of the ultimatum are met.
Jiang said the ROC government will make a consolation payment to Hong’s family and keep pressing the Philippines to offer appropriate compensation. At the same time, no effort will be spared in increasing efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and fishing rights in the region by dispatching navy and coast guard vessels.
“We cannot tolerate any act that harms the safety of our citizens or national dignity,” Jiang said. “It is hoped that the international community will pay greater attention to the incident and throw its weight behind the cause of the fisherman and Taiwan.
“It is imperative to stay united on this matter but we must handle the issue in a rational manner and treat all Filipinos, especially those working in Taiwan, with respect.” (RC-JSM)
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