From the Daily Tribune (May 18):
China slams Philippines for Taiwan fisher killing
PROC calls killing by Coast Guard ‘barbaric’
President Aquino, using the excuse of a One-China policy for the Aquino government to sidestep the Taiwan fisherman’s death issue and the shooting involvement of the Philippine government Coast Guard as well as the all-out resistance of Aquino to have a joint investigation into the killing of the Taiwanese fisherman, only gave China an opening to get into the picture.
Aquino’s One-China policy excuse merely gave China the opportunity to side with Taiwan as the People’s Republic of China (PROC) has always considered Taiwan as one of its provinces.
In imploring the One-China Policy following the shooting incident by Philippine Coast Guard causing the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in Balintang Channel on May 9, Aquino inadvertently raised the ante, as Beijing authorities have joined the clamor of the Taipei government to press justice and compensation, and ultimately punish the personnel of Coast Guard involved in the untoward incident.
Taiwan has been opposed for decades to the “One China Policy” of Beijing, claiming that the Taipei government is belligerent toward mainland China, and opted to be an ally of the United States of America.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Jua Chunying has called the incident “barbaric’’ and even insisted on holding the Philippines accountable.
“We strongly condemn the barbaric shooting and killing of the Taiwanese fisherman, demanding that the Philippines should investigate the case and furnish the details as soon as possible. We are deeply grieved about the death of the Taiwanese compatriot and have sent condolences to his family,’’ Chunying said.
China appears to have a common cause with Taiwan against Manila, deploring the shooting in harsh rhetoric that threatens to spark another diplomatic tussle between Beijing and Manila.
On May 13, Aquino opted not to comment further on the shooting incident so as not to escalate the issue at hand.
“I think it is in the interest of both parties to proceed on a calm basis. So we are proceeding in that manner.
Aquino claimed that coordination has been going on between the Taipei Economic Cultural Office and the Manila Economic Cultural Office to settle the incident.
Just yesterday, however, Taiwan showed its displeasure at the “insincere” apology issued by Aquino, using the Filipino people in his apology by issuing a red travel ban.
“And I, of course, 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,” Aquino said.
On Thursday, Taiwan announced the initiation of three sanctions and eight new sanction measures against the Philippines.
China’s Global Times reported that public opinion in Taiwan has forced the Ma Ying-jeou administration to transform its attitude from hesitant to hard-line.
Maritime frictions in East Asia involve maritime disputes, which touch the core interests of the neighboring Asean countries.
“Whether we have the ability to keep maritime disputes under control and whether the resolution of these disputes is in line with our comprehensive expectation on the strategic situation in East Asia will be our next tests.”
“China should protect every inch of its territory. However, there are still other strategic goals which China urgently needs to meet. Simultaneously achieving all this goals is in our best interests.
“The more powerful we are, the more likely we can better arrange our time and our road map.
“Taiwan and the mainland should pursue a “complete victory” over the Philippines this time. After this, both sides may have a new understanding of each other on aspects such as common interests and mutual trust.”
But Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council responsible for relations with China Thursday urged Beijing to stay out of the row the island has with Manila.
The council thanked Beijing for condemning Manila’s behavior, which the council described as “belligerent, irrational and violates international law.”
However, the council said Taiwan finds it unacceptable that the Philippines negotiated the matter through China and believes China will understand and respect Taiwan’s wishes that it should not interfere in a dispute between Taiwan and a third party.
It urged all parties involved not to confuse the People’s Republic of China with the Republic of China — Taiwan’s official name.
In Taiwan’s view, “One China” refers to the Republic of China. However, China defines “One China” as the People’s Republic of China, which regards Taiwan as a breakaway province.
Mainland China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split amid a civil war in 1949.
The council issued the statement after a legislative committee passed a motion proposed by legislators of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party earlier Thursday requesting the council make clear Taiwan’s position and urge China to stay out of the dispute between the island and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Taiwan Premier Jiang Yi-huah on Thursday called on the Taiwanese public to avoid hostility toward Philippine workers on the island.
Jiang said that although the Taiwan government is tough on the Philippine government, it will do its best to ensure the safety of the Filipinos.
Presidential Deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said that the arrival of Taiwanese officials who would want to join in the conduct of investigation on the death of the fisherman should be observant of the government procedures imposed by the Secretary of Justice.
“I understand that the Secretary of Justice has already made a statement about this to the effect that there has to be a certain protocol that has to be followed relative to notices; and that the Secretary of Justice has already foreclosed any joint investigation on the matter,” Valte said.
On the alleged maltreatment of Filipino workers who have been working in Taiwan, Valte said the government has not received any report of maltreatment incidents committed by Taiwanese employers to the Filipinos.
“We’ve checked with the Department of Labor and Employment and they say that they have not received any of these reports. However, we are aware of some reports that are coming out in media outlets of certain OFWs who are speaking on the condition of anonymity. We’d like to see also these accounts.
“But, again, we reiterate that we hope that our citizens will not bear the brunt of the incident. They are there to work and they are not there to make trouble. We appeal for calm also, and the appeal still goes out that our citizens will not be harmed,” Valte said.
Valte stressed that the Aquino administration is now preparing a contingency plan for the labor sector just in case a repatriation of Filipino workers occur in Taiwan.
“The Department of Labor has been looking into alternative markets.
If you recall, this is not the first time that we’ve dealt with this sort of sanction and the Labor department has been looking into alternative markets because if you look at the figures, 72 percent of our OFWs in Taiwan are employed in the manufacturing sector,” Valte said.
Valte said, “the way that the Labor department looks at it, by looking for other alternative markets, would be to see which other markets also have a high number or a high openings for manufacturing sector”.
“I think this has been previously mentioned. That would be South Korea, another alternative would be the Middle East, and also to some extent Malaysia,” Valte stressed.
Valte added that “in light of what has happened, the Labor department has deemed if fit to look into other alternative markets that are capable of absorbing the number of OFWs who may wish to come back or who may have to leave their places of employment”.
Valte said, on the matter of fears of maltreatment that could harm the Filipinos while still in Taiwan, “no, we’re not going to wait (to happen). The Labor Secretary is already aware of these reports. I believe she has made certain statements on this already; and, of course, we will be asking for verification as well”.
Valte said the primary concern of the Aquino administration is the welfare and safety of the Filipinos as a policy.
“At this point, what we are doing in light of the sanctions that have been made, our primary concern would be to, first, for the welfare of our citizens who are there; and second, the possible effect of the sanctions that may have on our OFWs who are there,” Valte said.
Valte said the administration is mindful that one of the sanctions would be to freeze hiring which would directly affects the labor sector.
“I understand that in a year, almost 30,000 Filipino workers are going to work in Taiwan that doesn’t include those who are already there,” Valte said.
Valte said that, “it is the concern that our government is considering. What assistance can be extended to those who may wish to return? Second, are there alternative markets that we can offer to them once they come home?,” Valte said.
Valte reiterated that extra efforts have been done by the Philippine government to ease up what could be perceived as an impending serious diplomatic tensions that could affect the relationships between Taiwan and Philippines.
“Well, at this point, one, what we witnessed really is to avoid action to escalate tensions,” Valte said.
In the previous statements, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda underscored that, “we have done enough. We’ve gone the extra mile to not let the exchanges that we have deteriorate”.
Valte said that on the part of the Aquino administration, “we’ve repeatedly expressed regret at the unfortunate incident. At this point, we are preparing for the contingencies for the possible impact of the sanctions”.
“But, I would not foreclose on any other actions that can be done in the future. Again, I repeat, I would not foreclose on any possible act or any possible steps that may be taken,” Valte said.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/14236-china-slams-philippines-for-taiwan-fisher-killing
