Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Manila: President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino talked tough and said the Philippines has enough resources to defend itself from an attack by Taiwan, after the two neighbours could not agree on how to investigate a Philippine Coast Guard’s attack on a Taiwanese fishing vessel which killed a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters off northern Luzon early this month.
“The Philippines is for the Philippines. We can defend ourselves,” Aquino said as Philippines and Taiwan agreed on a “cooperative [not joint]” investigation into the death of Hung Shih-chen, 65, on May 9.
Aquino also thanked Taiwanese leaders for appealing to angry Taiwanese residents to stop attacks on OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Taiwan.
Aquino said that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is waiting for Taiwan to invite members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to physically examine the damaged Taiwanese fishing boat there. “Since it’s in Taiwan, they’re waiting for clearance to go there and visually inspect the boat to complete the investigation,” said Aquino.
The NBI has also requested for an autopsy of Hung’s body and interview of Taiwanese fishermen who survived the incident. It is not known if the Taiwanese government has agreed to these requests.
The date of departure of Filipino investigators for Taiwan was not revealed.
Probe in progress
Meanwhile, the NBI has already concluded a major part of its investigation, said Aquino, without giving details.
When Aquino ordered the NBI to conduct a “cooperative investigation” into the killing of the Taiwanese national on Monday, he allowed the result of the NBI investigation to be sent to Taiwan.
Aquino refused to agree to Taiwan’s proposed joint investigation into the incident, following the Philippine government’s one-China policy.
Taiwan said the Philippine Coast Guard had inflicted 50 large holes on the Taiwanese fishing vessel. The Philippine Coast Guard insisted it acted out of self defence. Taiwan, on the other hand, said the Taiwanese fishing vessel was within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone, 200 nautical miles from the shore, when the incident happened.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the Taiwanese vessel was charging at their vessel in Philippine waters.
‘A cold-blooded murder’
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou called the Philippine Coast Guard’s attack a “cold-blooded murder”.
Although Aquino has sent a letter of apology to Taiwan, it was rejected and instead sanctions were imposed on the Philippines. It banned the hiring of overseas Filipino workers, recalled its envoy and staged a maritime drill off northern Luzon.
Taiwan is seeking compensation for the family of the slain fisherman and punishment for his killers.
By Barbara Mae Dacanay Bureau Chief
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
