Taiwanese youths express support for Pinoys after reports of harassment

With media reports both in Taiwan and the Philippines showing the growing tensions between the two countries, a group of young people on Sunday proved that not all is lost when it comes to forgiveness and understanding.

Graduate student Li Chun-da initiated a small protest action in solidarity with Filipinos. Through social networking site Facebook, Li invited some friends to St. Christopher’s Church in Taipei, where there is a large Filipino congregation.

The group held up Chinese and English signs that read “I’m Taiwanese supporting Filipino workers” and “The government’s wrongdoing should not be shouldered by innocent people.” The group was reportedly approached by Pinoys who expressed gratitude for the support, just before the Mass in Tagalog started at 7:30 a.m., according to the Taipei Times.

Li, who said he did not have any official association with an organization, said he thought up the gathering to show support for embattled Pinoys in Taiwan.

“There’s no organization behind us, I invited my friends to join me in the action on Facebook and they forwarded the invitation to their friends,” he said.

The Philippines and Taiwan have been engaged in a spat following the death of Hung Shih-cheng, a Taiwanese fisherman in an encounter with the Philippine Coast Guard in disputed waters.

In front of the same church, some 20 Pinoys gathered to offer prayers and a moment of silence for Hung, 65.

According to a report by the Central News Agency, the Filipinos also urged Taiwanese not to discriminate against them.

In addition to prayers, the ceremony included a candle lighting, and an offering of a song for peace.

"We did not commit the crime," said Oria Gayaden, a member of Kapulungan ng Samahang Pilipino, adding she hoped the situation would calm down and be resolved.

Another Filipino worker, Norman Pinson, voiced his sympathies and urged the Taiwanese not to discriminate against his people.

A researcher with the Taiwan International Workers' Association, Chen Hsiu-lien, organized the event. She criticized Taiwan and asked the government to not "pick on easy targets."

Chen was referring to the government's freezing of the hiring of Filipino workers, as a sanction for the May 9 incident.

Aside from the sanctions, many Filipinos in Taiwan reported harassment, with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office recording at least two violent incidents. — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM/HS, GMA News