Philippines offers apology to Taiwan

Philippine Cultural and Economic Office Chairman Amadeo Perez on Thursday arrived in Taiwan to offer an official apology to the family of the fisherman who was shot dead by the Philippine coastguard in May.

During a press conference in Pingtung, the hometown of Hung Shih-cheng, the fisherman, Perez said he wished to convey "the Philippine people's deep regret and apology to the family of Hung over this unfortunate loss of life of their beloved one."

He also handed the apology letter signed by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III to Hung's family, saying, "I present the apology letter on behalf of our president and our people."

"The Philippines will remember this lesson and this kind of thing will not happen again," said Perez during his visit on behalf of the Philippine president, adding that the coastguards involved in the case would be charged soon.

"It is a belated fairness," Hung Tzu-chien, the oldest daughter in the family, told reporters at a press conference, adding that although it was not perfect, the issue has finally been resolved after three months of waiting.

Hung's family said that they are willing to accept the apology, but they would continue requiring compensation under laws.

Tensions between Taipei and Manila rose sharply after the 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead in waters near an island in the Philippines' extreme north, which Taiwan also claims as part of its economic zone.

Taiwan rejected earlier apologies by Manila as inadequate and imposed a series of sanctions following the shooting, including a ban on hiring new Filipino workers.

An estimated 10,000 jobs for Philippine workers have been lost due to the sanction, the Philippine Star newspaper reported.

Tensions saw signs of easing after Philippine authorities said Wednesday in the shooting's final investigation report that they had recommended homicide charges against eight Philippine coastguards for Hung's death.

Taiwan welcomes the move as a "constructive response" and Jiang Yi-huah, head of Taiwan's executive body, said the island would consider lifting the sanctions.

Global Times - AFP