Phl apologizes; Taiwan issues ultimatum over sea slay

TAIPEI – Taiwan dispatched four coast guard and naval vessels yesterday to beef up patrols in waters near the Philippines following public outrage over the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard.

“The government is determined to protect our fishermen,” cabinet spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen said in a statement as a Lafayette- class naval frigate and coastguard vessels set sail for the area where the 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman was killed Thursday.

The move came shortly after authorities issued a strongly-worded statement late Saturday night demanding Manila apologize to Taiwan and compensate the family of the dead man.

Taiwan threatened to freeze the applications of Filipino workers within three days - or 72 hours - if the Philippines does not respond to its requests stemming from the fatal shooting of a fisherman in disputed waters Thursday.

A report on Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) said President Ma Ying-jeou gave the 72-hour ultimatum, warning of the consequences on Filipino laborers seeking work in Taiwan.

Ma convened a high-ranking meeting Saturday night, and decided on four demands from the Philippines, the report said. These included: • issue a formal apology; • compensate the losses;

• get to the bottom of the incident and punish the perpetrators of the killing; and

• open fishery agreement talks between the Philippines and Taiwan soonest

Taiwan said that if Manila cannot give a positive response within 72 hours, the applications of Filipino laborers will be suspended.

Taiwan will also recall its representative to the Philippines and request that Philippine representative to Taiwan return to Manila, the CNA report said.

“If the Filipino government fails to respond in a positive manner within 72 hours, the hiring of Philippine workers will be frozen,” presidential office spokeswoman Lee Chia-fei warned.

Hung Shih-cheng, the skipper of the 15-tonne Kuang Ta Hsin No. 28, was killed during the incident, which also left the boat riddled with more than 50 bullet holes.

“This is nothing but a slaughter,” prosecutor Liu Chia-kai told reporters after examining the ship.

Taiwan’s government has come under pressure from the opposition and the media to take action.

The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday the incident took place in Philippine waters and the crew had been carrying out their duties to stop illegal fishing.

The victim’s son, who was with his father and two other sailors on the boat when the shooting took place, has insisted they did not cross into Philippine waters.