Philippine President Renews Apology to Taiwan for Death of Fisherman in Disputed Waters

President Benigno Aquino III has issued a formal apology to Taiwan on Wednesday for a shooting incident that led to the death of Hung Shi-chen, a Taiwanese fisherman one week ago. The fisherman was shot by a Philippine Coast Guard personnel. The apology from the President was given less than 24 hours after Taiwan’s initial response to the first statement from the Philippine government.

“Deep regret and apology”

Earlier, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda announced that President Aquino would be sending a representative to Taiwan with a formal letter of apology. He said that the President’s personal representative would convey the message directly to the family of Mr, Hung and to the people of Taiwan. The Chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office Amadeo R. Perez had been chosen to go to Taiwan to act as the personal representative of President Aquino to convey his personal regret and apology on the “unfortunate and unintended loss of life.”

Fatal shooting

On Thursday last week 65-year old Hung was fishing in the Bashi Strait that is located between the southern tip of Taiwan and the northern boundary of the Philippines. A Philippine Coast Guard targeted his fishing vessel and killed Hung.

After the incident, the Philippines recognized its share of responsibility but added that the Coast Guard who opened fire at Hung’s vessel was only responding to a threat. The Taiwanese vessel was allegedly intending to ram the Coast Guard’s ship.

The incident has caused increased attention anew in both countries on age-old territorial disputes that involve other countries including China. The fatal shooting occurred in the South China Sea where other countries in Southeast Asia have claim.

Taiwan remains disappointed

Before the formal apology from Pres. Aquino, a Philippine envoy released a statement of regret which was rejected by the Taiwanese government. Premier Jiang Yi-huah of Taiwan has expressed disappointment with the initial apology that was delivered by the Philippine envoy based in Taipei. The Premier said that the phrasing of the apology was somehow reflective of a desire of the Philippine government to distance itself from the incident.

Taiwan initiated a political retaliation and instituted a freeze in the hiring of Filipino overseas workers. There are currently 85,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan at the moment and more are in the process of applying. The Taiwanese government had also recalled its envoy to Manila and it has directed its citizens not to travel to the Philippines with a “red” travel alert.

New wave of sanctions

As of this writing Taiwan has not yet issued a full response to this new apology, but Taiwanese Premier Jiang Yi-huah deems it “unacceptable” that the word “unintended” was used. The Premier added that Perez did not have sufficient authority to convey the apology, reflecting insincerity from the Philippine government. The Premier said that a second wave of sanctions directed at the Philippines would soon be announced.

Premier Jiang also said that he was unhappy that the compensation that would be given to the family of Mr. Huang would not be coming from the Philippine government but the Filipino people. The government should “not evade the responsibility” since the shooting was done by a civil servant, insisted Premier Jiang.

Photo Credit: President Benigno Aquino III