Philippine officials in Taiwan for shooting probe

Taiwanese authorities and the Philippines swapped teams on Monday to start investigating the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier this month.

A team of eight officials from the Philippines has arrived in Taipei. They are expected to learn the autopsy on the fisherman, inspect evidence and visit the fishing boat to review voyage data records and ballistic evidence, according to the Taiwan's justice authority.

A Taiwanese team comprising eight members also reached the Philippines on Monday. The move is aimed at reaching a consensus of investigation results, the island's justice authority was quoted as saying by local media.

Taiwanese authorities earlier said PCG personnel intentionally killed 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih- Cheng on May 9, noting that majority of the gunshots hit the cockpit of the fishing vessel where the slain fisherman and his companion hid during the chase.

PCG personnel admitted firing on the Taiwanese fishing vessel.