Publication date: 11-05-2013
The Philippine Government further the probe on what it called a ' tragic incident '
The Philippines top Envoy to Taiwan yesterday offered an apology to the family of a Taiwanese fisherman, who on Thursday was killed by an official Philippine vessel while the Taiwanese boat in waters claimed by both countries.
"We want to convey our sincere condolences and apologies to the family of Hung," said Antonio Basilio, the Philippines de facto Ambassador to Taiwan on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
"Words cannot express our grief over the loss of life of Mr. Hung," he added.
Basilio said that his Government will continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the "tragic incident."
The Philippines welcomed a joint investigation led by the law enforcement authorities to the location of the incident and the circumstances that led to the tragedy, the Envoy added.
"Should the investigation show that there is a violation of international law and practice ... as well as our legislation, we will the law take its course so that justice is done," said Basilio.
Basilio, head of the Manila economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei, the comments for reporters on MOFA headquarters, after meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Shih made.
The Envoy was summoned by the MOFA to explain Manila's position on this matter — a day after Taiwan issued strict condemnation about the incident which led to the death of local fisherman Hung Shih-cheng led.
The 65-year-old crew member was shot dead by personnel on board an official Philippine vessel, while the local boat — the Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28 — about 170 nautical miles off the southern coast of Taiwan, an area that is claimed by both Taipei and Manila, according to MOFA.
Hungs son, son-in-law and an Indonesian fisherman were also on board when the shots were fired.
Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28 is currently is being dragged back to Taiwan with the help of two other fishing boats under the guidance of the Coast Guard Administration (CGA), the Ministry said.
MOFA has confirmed that the Philippine ship responsible for the shooting belongs to the country office of fisheries and aquatic resources (BFAR), said Foreign Minister David Lin, adding that the Philippine Coast Guard on board the ship had fired the ship's weapons BFAR.
"We believe that the Philippine Government must take full responsibility (about the incident) by issuing an official apology to Taiwan, (by identifying) responsible and (by compensation) for the losses," said the Minister.
According to Taiwan's representative to the Philippines, Raymond Wang, however, Philippine authorities claimed that the Taiwanese ship was sailing on their territory and that the BFAR ship had just fired warning shots.
In response said that Lin Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28 was sailing in overlapping waters, stressed that the Philippine vessel not fire on an unarmed Taiwanese boat under no circumstances should have opened.
The Philippine authorities have agreed to send Taiwan staff jointly probe the cause of the tragedy, he added.
Coast Guard Administration (CGA) Deputy Minister Cheng Chang-Hsiung said that the shooting a total of 32 bullet holes in the Taiwanese ship left.
"The CGA condemns the cruel act of the Philippines side (which caused) the death of a Taiwanese fisherman," Cheng says.
The Taiwanese ship expected to be brought back to Taiwan for noon on Saturday, the Minister said, adding that as soon as it returns to the island, prosecutors will immediately initiate an investigation of the boat and interview the crew members.
For the safety of Taiwanese fishermen operating in the South China Sea, the CGA will send more vessels equipped with artillery to protect the rights of local ships operating in the region, he added.
The basic reason behind the tragedy is the lack of a fisheries agreement between Taipei and Manila in relation to their overlapping waters, Lin noted.
The Government will negotiate with its counterpart of the Philippines to a similar to the signed between Taiwan and Japan last month to solve the fundamental problem to sign fisheries agreement, he added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said that it has sent staff to convey condolences to Hungs family in Pingtung County and the family NT $ 50,000 (US $ 1,600) offered in time of sorrow.
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