PHL offers formal apology to family of slain Taiwanese fisherman

(Updated 8:57 p.m.) President Benigno S. Aquino III sent an envoy to Taiwan on Thursday to apologize on his behalf to the family of the Taiwanese fisherman who was killed in a shooting incident involving Philippine Coast Guard personnel off Balintang Channel last May 9.

Amadeo Perez, chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, delivered Aquino’s message and personally apologized to the family of 65-year-old Hung Shih-Chen in Taiwan’s Pingtung County.

“I have been authorized by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to personally convey the President’s and the Filipino people’s deep regret and apology to the family of Mr. Hung Shih-Chen over the unfortunate loss of life of their loved one. I regret that I did not have this opportunity when I came to Taiwan last May 15, 2013 but nevertheless I do so now with my sorrow undiminished,” Perez said in his statement.

Hung died when Philippine Coast Guard officials fired upon his vessel for intruding into Philippine territory off Balintang Channel, sparking outrage in Taiwan.

Easing of tensions?

According to an Agence France-Presse report, Perez travelled to the small southern port town of Hsiaoliuchiu to meet the family.

"May I respectfully present our official letter of apology to the family of Mr. Hung on behalf of our president and our people," he told Hung's widow, before giving her the letter and shaking her hand.

Hung's family accepted the Philippines' apology, Perez said in a "24 Oras" report.

"Nagrespond naman 'yung anak at 'yung biyuda na tinatanggap nila 'yung apology ng Pilipinas," Perez said.

Manila’s apology may prompt Taiwan to consider lifting the 11 economic sanctions it imposed on the Philippines, which include the freeze hiring of new workers to the island and a travel ban.

Taiwanese officials said it may lift the sanctions once Manila issues a personal apology to the fisherman’s family.

But diplomatic tensions eased after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday recommended the filing of criminal charges against eight Coast Guard personnel involved in the shooting incident.

“I wish to inform you that the results of the NBI investigation has been released and criminal complaints shall be filed with the Philippine National Prosecution Service and the Department of Justice is committed to prosecute the crimes at the soonest possible time,” Perez said.

Taiwan has welcomed the move as a "constructive response" and Premier Jiang Yi-huah said Thursday that his government would consider lifting the sanctions.

Taiwan also released their findings on Wednesday and said the fisherman was in international waters at the time of the shooting, according to the "24 Oras" report.

Talks ongoing

Manila and Taipei have no formal diplomatic ties in deference to the One-China Policy. In the absence of a diplomatic mission, MECO acts as the country’s de-facto embassy in Taiwan.

There are about 87,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan, a self-ruling democratic island which separated from mainland China in 1949.

Perez said the Philippines and Taiwan have begun talks on how to prevent such incident from happening again, noting both sides have agreed to avoid the use of force in the enforcement of fisheries laws.

In the same statement, Perez also thanked the Taiwan Coast Guard for the rescue of three Filipino fishermen and the recovery of the remains of another after their boat capsized near the Balintang Channel a few weeks ago. — with a report by Agence France-Presse/Michaela del Callar/Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News