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President Aquino to apologize to Taiwan for fisherman's death
(Updated 5:56 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III will apologize to the people of Taiwan for last week's fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters, his spokesperson said Wednesday.
At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino personally decided to designate Amadeo Perez, chairperson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), to extend his apology to the family of 65-year-old fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, who was shot dead by Philippine authorities last Thursday.
"The President has appointed MECO Chairman Amadeo R. Perez as his personal representative who will convey his and the Filipino people’s deep regret and apology to the family of Mr. Hung Shi-chen as well as to the people of Taiwan over the unfortunate and unintended loss of life," Lacierda said.
At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino personally decided to designate Amadeo Perez, chairperson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), to extend his apology to the family of 65-year-old fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, who was shot dead by Philippine authorities last Thursday.
"The President has appointed MECO Chairman Amadeo R. Perez as his personal representative who will convey his and the Filipino people’s deep regret and apology to the family of Mr. Hung Shi-chen as well as to the people of Taiwan over the unfortunate and unintended loss of life," Lacierda said.
When asked if this is an apology on behalf of the Philippine government, Lacierda replied: "You take my statement as it is. Chairman Perez has been appointed as the President's representative."
'Thorough, impartial' probe
During the press briefing, Lacierda said the Philippine government hopes Taiwan will see the sincerity in Aquino's decision to apologize for the shooting incident.
"Far from being insincere, we have time and again expressed our deep regret and apology to the family of Mr. Hung Shi-chen," he said.
The President's spokesman also appealed to Taiwan to "reconsider" its decision to freeze the hiring of Filipino workers, but said the government is preparing "contingencies" for Filipinos who will be affected by Taiwan's move.
Lacierda likewise assured Taiwan that the Philippine goverment, through the National Bureau of Investigation, will conduct a "thorough, exhaustive, impartial and expeditious" probe on the incident.
He likewise called on the people of Taiwan not to take out their anger on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the area.
"We appeal for sobriety on this unfortunate incident. Let us not involve our Filipino compatriots there. They are there working and they are there working for an honest living," he said.
According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, there were over 93,800 Filipinos working in Taiwan as of December 2011.
Aftermath of shooting
Aftermath of shooting
On May 9, authorities from the Philippine Coast Guard shot Hung when the Taiwanese vessel he was riding allegedly tried to ram their ship in disputed waters off the coast of Batanes in extreme northern Luzon.
Earlier in the day, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou decided to freeze the hiring of Filipino workers in Taiwan to convey his "strong dissatisfaction" on the way the Philippine government is handling the shooting incident.
Ma also described as "insincere" the apology extended by Antonio Basilio, the Philippines' de facto ambassador to Taipei to Taiwan Foreign Minister David Lin.
Aside from a formal apology, the Taiwanese government also wants the Philippines to extend compensation to Hung's family, apprehend the person responsible for his death, and launch talks on the fishing industry. Taiwanese officials gave the Philippines until 6 p.m. Wednesday to meet these demands. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
Earlier in the day, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou decided to freeze the hiring of Filipino workers in Taiwan to convey his "strong dissatisfaction" on the way the Philippine government is handling the shooting incident.
Ma also described as "insincere" the apology extended by Antonio Basilio, the Philippines' de facto ambassador to Taipei to Taiwan Foreign Minister David Lin.
Aside from a formal apology, the Taiwanese government also wants the Philippines to extend compensation to Hung's family, apprehend the person responsible for his death, and launch talks on the fishing industry. Taiwanese officials gave the Philippines until 6 p.m. Wednesday to meet these demands. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
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