Malacañang moved to defuse a brewing row between Manila and Taipei over the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by an anti-poaching patrol unit off Batanes islands.
“President Aquino said we will handle this in a prudent manner. We will handle this on a calm basis, and we will transmit our response [on this issue] through the proper channels,” said Palace Spokesman Edwin Lacierda as he fielded questions by reporters in a news conference that included journalists from Taipei and Hong Kong.
Lacierda told the foreign journalists that the Philippine Coast Guard’s scheduled news conference on Tuesday morning was canceled “because we are going to announce our response through the proper channels and not through media; and you will be informed as soon as the decision has been transmitted through proper channels.”
After casting his vote at a polling precinct inside Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, President Aquino faced reporters but downplayed questions over reports that Taiwan set a 72-hour deadline for a Philippine apology and compensation for the victim, or sanctions would be imposed including a freeze in hiring Filipino workers.
“I can answer it this way, that was not how our de facto embassy in Taipei reported the matter. I think it is in the interest of both parties to proceed on a calm basis. So we are proceeding in that manner,” Mr. Aquino added.
The President explained that given the country’s One China Policy, the Department of Foreign Affairs is letting the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco), the Philippine mission in Taiwan, to handle the matter.
“And I, of course, will course it through the DFA. I asked the secretary of foreign affairs to monitor but the lead person has to be Meco because of the One China Policy,” he told reporters.
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