An ROC delegation comprised of 17 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Criminal Investigation Bureau, Coast Guard Administration and Fisheries Agency departed for the Philippines May 16 to investigate the killing of a Taiwan fisherman.
Guang Da Xing No. 28 encountered gunfire May 9 from a Philippines government ship 164 nautical miles southeast of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan’s southernmost point. The assault killed 65-year-old Hung Shih Cheng, one of four crew members on board, while severely damaging the vessel.
“The aim is to prompt the Philippines government to uncover and punish the perpetrators and provide compensation for all losses,” Deputy Minister of Justice Chen Ming-tang said.
“Our investigative team will work with Philippines personnel to jointly interrogate those responsible and inspect the evidence. Polygraph tests are not ruled out.
“We will request that the Philippines hand the perpetrators over for trial in Taiwan, or pledge to prosecute them to the full extent of its own laws,” Chen said.
“There is no timeline for the investigation, but we hope to complete inquiries as quickly as possible to get to the bottom of the case.”
Separately, a Ministry of National Defense official said the ROC will conduct patrols in waters south of Taiwan proper the same day to demonstrate the government’s resolve to protect fishing rights.
ROC navy Kidd-class destroyer Magong proceeded directly to waters 200 nautical miles south of Taiwan to declare the nation’s right to fish in its economic zone, the official said. A Lafayette-class frigate and another vessel already on a mission escorting fishing boats east of the Philippines’ Batanes archipelago also participated in the patrol, the official added.
In response to the history of attacks on Taiwan fishing boats, the Transportation Committee of the ROC Legislative Yuan approved draft amendments to the Shipping Act May 15.
Under the revised bill, a Taiwan commercial ship that must sail through waters threatened by pirates or other illegal armed forces would be permitted to recruit armed foreign security guards. The guards would have to disembark before the ship came within 12 nautical miles of the nation’s coastline, however. (KML-THN)