Pinoy tourists, workers still go to Taiwan amid tension from fisherman's death

Some Filipino tourists and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) still go to Taiwan amid the tension caused by the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Filipinos in disputed waters on May 9.

 

In an interview with reporter John Consulta for GMA Network's "24 Oras" newscast, Taiwan-bound tourist Joey Chua said he and his companions will just stay away from areas where tension reportedly arose from Taiwanese who were angry over the fisherman's death.

 

“Supposedly were going to Kaohsiung pero kinancel namin,” Chua said, adding that “Sa newspaper, nakita namin na taga-doon 'yung nagka-problema so inavoid namin 'yung lugar na 'yun.”

 

Dindo Magsino, on the other hand, said he pushed through with the trip because he didn't want his tour package to go to waste.

 

“Relax lang [kahit may tension]. Nag-eenjoy eh,” Magsino said. "No choice"

 

Meanwhile at the Taipei International Airport, Consulta interviewed OFWs who had just arrived from the Philippines.

 

Most of them were worried about the situation in Taiwan but had to push through because of their financial needs.

 

One of the OFWs, identified only as Ellen, said her family had to borrow money for her to land a job in Taiwan.

 

“Nagastusan na kaya ituloy na. Paano naman yun, nangutang na kami,” Ellen said, adding that “No choice na, kailangan ituloy.”

 

Another OFW, identified only as Aileen, said she will try to cope with the situation by getting the trust of her employers.

 

“Siyempre makikibagay ka muna sa mga amo mo. Kunin mo mga loob nila,” Aileen explained.

 

Meanwhile, Edgar Valdoria, who has been in Taiwan for two decades, hopes that the row between his current and former home will be resolved immediately.

 

“Kung pwede as soon as possible ilabas na kaagad ang tunay na resulta ng imbestigasyon para sa ganoon ay maresolba na ang problemang ito once and for all,” Valdoria said. Fisherman's death

 

The tension between the Philippines and Taiwan arose from the death of a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman, who was shot by Philippine coastguards who suspected the victim was poaching in disputed waters.

 

This triggered outrage among the Taiwanese, with some resorting to violence and even allegedly attacking OFWs.

 

Some OFWs there have resorted to wearing shades and face masks. Some even denied being Filipinos to avoid persecution.

 

However, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) has assured that they are continuously coordinating with Taiwanese authorities to keep Filipinos safe in Taiwan.

 

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has already called out to his countrymen not to hurt or put the blame on OFWs for the incident. Priest: Tension has eased   Meanwhile, a Filipino priest said the tension in Taiwan has eased, judging from the number of attendees during Catholic Masses.  Fr. Leonilo Mantilla, parish priest of St. Christopher’s Church in Taipei said the situation is improving with the authorities' help. The parish is the busiest in Taiwan, having the highest number of daily Masses. About 99 percent of his parishioners are Filipinos. “At this moment, the situation is very cool and the tensions have eased,” he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website. “We were really affected here. Many Filipinos refrained from attending Masses for almost two weeks,” he recalled. The priest said they encouraged Filipinos in Taiwan to take extra precaution. “We urged them to go by group because of the hate campaign here against us but Taiwanese are peaceful and peace-loving people,” Mantilla added. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News