A Taiwan investigation team that was sent to Manila to probe the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine coast guard returned to Taipei on Saturday, slamming the Philippines' attitude toward the joint investigation "capricious."
Chen Wen-chi, head of the investigation team, said the team has been negotiating with the Philippine government on a joint investigation, but its attitude was uncooperative and its response was unacceptable.
The Taiwanese team arrived in Manila on Thursday to investigate the shooting of a Taiwanese fishing boat by Philippine coast guard on May 9, which caused the death of 65-year-old fisherman Hung Shih-cheng.
Chen slammed the Philippines' allegation that the shooting was in self-defense, saying that it went far beyond the scope of normal law enforcement activities.
She also urged the Philippine government to provide evidence for its allegation that the victim was the "villain."
The island's justice authority on Saturday also criticized the Philippine government's "lack of sincerity and credibility" in cooperating with the investigation team, saying the Philippines had previously approved the joint investigation but then "prolonged and delayed" the team's requests.
"We have gone the extra mile," Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesperson of the Philippines, said on Thursday during a press conference.
Chen said Taiwan will continue to negotiate with the Philippines but she did not respond to press questions as to whether the island will send an investigation team to Manila again.
Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou also expressed anger on Saturday, saying that Taiwan would impose a third round of sanctions on the Philippines if necessary.
Global Times - Agencies
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