Taiwan lawmakers denounce China air defense zone

 News
Nov 292013
 
Taiwan lawmakers denounce China air defense zone

Associated Press 9:36 pm | Friday, November 29th, 2013 TAIPEI — Taiwan’s legislature attacked China’s newly declared air defense zone on Friday, with lawmakers demanding in an unusual joint statement that President Ma Ying-jeou’s government lodge a “stern protest” with Beijing. They admonished Ma’s government for its cautious response to China’s announcement last Saturday, including agreeing to supply China with flight plans for planes entering the zone. The statement, signed by caucus leaders of the ruling Nationalists and pro-independence opposition parties, said Taiwan should work together with Japan, the U.S. and other “friendly states in the region” in multilateral negotiations with China. The government said later Friday it will communicate its “stern position” to Beijing. China said all aircraft must notify Chinese authorities before entering the zone, which includes islands controlled by Japan but claimed by Beijing. The U.S., Japan and South Korea have sent flights through the airspace in defiance of China’s rules. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: air defense zone , airspace , China , Diplomacy , Global Nation , Taiwan Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Read More …

Philippine police prepare charges against Taiwanese fisherman — report

 News
Sep 072013
 
Philippine police prepare charges against Taiwanese fisherman -- report

Taiwanese fisherman arrested after poaching off Batanes . Taiwanese fisherman Tsai Po (left, in red), 54, is escorted by a policeman on board his fishing boat after he was arrested for illegal fishing in the waters off Batanes on Wednesday, September 4. The PHL and Taiwan are trying to mend fences after the shooting incident that led to the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in May. AFP/Victor de Sagon/PNP Philippine police said Saturday there was strong evidence to charge a Taiwanese fisherman detained after he strayed into the archipelago’s waters — an incident that is threatening reviving relations between the neighbours. Government prosecutors are preparing poaching charges against Tsai Po who was held on Tuesday near the Philippines’ Batan Islands, close to the maritime border with Taiwan, police officer Victor de Sagon said. Police allege that Tsai, 54, intentionally entered Philippine waters and then tried to flee when a maritime fishing patrol approached him. “Our evidence is quite strong. He was collecting lobster, ornamental fish and sharks,” de Sagon told AFP. “It is obvious he was fleeing with the great speed. He did not drift here.” Tsai has made frequent visits to the area to poach for fish, de Sagon said, adding that was how officials knew where to catch him. Tsai, who is being held at Batan provincial police station, has said he does not know why he was detained and that he had been in Taiwanese waters when the incident happened. He also claims he was treated roughly Read More …

Taiwan to spend $100 million to build dock at disputed Spratlys

 News
Aug 292013
 
Taiwan to spend $100 million to build dock at disputed Spratlys

9:18 pm | Thursday, August 29th, 2013 A handout photo shows Taiwanese garrison forces firing a gun during an exercise held in the Spratlys     AFP FILE PHOTO TAIPEI — Taiwan plans to spend more than $100 million to build a dock big enough for warships in the disputed Spratly islands, a legislator said Thursday, as other claimants strengthen their regional military presence. The plan submitted to parliament Thursday by the coastguard would cost Tw$3.4 billion ($112.4 million). Sources said the spending is expected to be approved. The dock will be an upgrade on the existing pier at the Taiwan-controlled island of Taiping, the biggest island in the Spratlys. It is scheduled to become operational in 2016. “National security authorities have decided to expedite the project as the other countries in the region have been increasing their naval and air force deployment in the past few years, further complicating the issue,” legislator Lin Yu-fang said in a statement. Once it is completed, large supply ships and even naval frigates will be able to berth, said Lin, a legislator from the ruling Kuomintang party who sits on parliament’s defense committee. The current pier caters only to small patrol boats. Once the dock work is completed the runway on Taiping will be extended, Lin said. Taiwan built a 1,150-meter (3,800-foot) runway on Taiping in mid-2006, despite protests from other countries with claims to the disputed island group. Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines claim all or part of the potentially oil-rich Read More …

Severe Tropical Storm Trami hits Taiwan

 News
Aug 212013
 
Severe Tropical Storm Trami hits Taiwan

Associated Press 8:42 pm | Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 With their boat safely docked in harbor, fishermen take the time to repair nets as they ride out approaching Tropical Storm Trami near Toucheng, north eastern Taiwan, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.Severe Tropical Storm Trami bore down Wednesday on heavily populated northern Taiwan, prompting schools and offices to close down as heavy rains threatened to trigger landslides and other disruptions throughout the island. (AP Photo/Wally Santana) TAIPEI — Severe Tropical Storm Trami struck Wednesday in heavily populated northern Taiwan, prompting schools and offices to close down as heavy rains triggered landslides and other disruptions throughout the island. At 5:30 p.m.(0330 GMT), the Central Weather Bureau said the center of the storm was located offshore, 100 kilometers (63 miles) northeast of the capital of Taipei, packing sustained winds of 108 kmh (68 mph) with gusts of up to 137 kmh. It was expected to complete its passage of the island’s northern coast by midnight, heading westward on a direct course toward the Chinese province of Fujian. An increase of 10 kph in sustained wind speed would cause the storm to be upgraded to typhoon status, though forecasters were unsure if that would happen. Earlier this week, Trami wreaked havoc in the Philippine capital of Manila and in outlying regions, leaving 15 dead, 41 injured and affecting more than 1 million people as floodwaters swamped wide swathes of the densely-populated region. President Benigno Aquino III visited emergency shelters to distribute food packs and cheer Read More …

Recruiters eye to fill 3,000 jobs as Taiwan lifts hiring freeze

 News
Aug 132013
 
Recruiters eye to fill 3,000 jobs as Taiwan lifts hiring freeze

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:12 pm | Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–Local recruitment agencies are looking to deploy some 3,000 workers for electronic factories to Taiwan, nearly a week after the Taiwanese government lifted its hiring freeze on Filipino workers. Angelo Tong, president of Pilipino Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan, said Taiwan is in need of some 3,000 workers for electronic factories that did not hire workers from other countries and instead patiently waited for Filipinos, their preferred choice of workers, for the highly-skilled positions in their companies. In a statement, Tong admitted that a few companies had to get Vietnamese workers for those positions that needed to be filled since OFWs, whose work contracts were up for extension or renewal, had to return home to wait for developments following tensions the past three months over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman. “With the issue now behind, we are very optimistic that these workers will be recalled by their companies to their previous positions,” he said. Last week, Taiwan lifted a freeze on the hiring of Filipino workers, after the Philippines relayed its apology to the family of the fisherman killed in an encounter with Philippine Coast Guard personnel in disputed waters last May 9. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s office in Manila on Tuesday posted online the guidelines for prospective Filipino job seekers. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office said this applies to work permit applications of blue-collar workers, including first-time applications, substitutes and re-hiring. TECO said Read More …

Estrada lauds Taiwan move to lift sanctions vs PH

 News
Aug 132013
 
Estrada lauds Taiwan move to lift sanctions vs PH

By Maila AgerINQUIRER.net 5:35 pm | Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on Tuesday lauded Taiwan’s decision to lift sanctions it earlier imposed against the Philippines, saying this would pave the way for the resumption of bilateral ties on trade, investments, and hiring of overseas Filipino workers. “This resumption of productive relations between the two governments definitely results to mutual benefits. It is especially a very positive development for our OFWs,” Estrada, chairman of the Senate committee on labor, said in a statement. The reported lifting of sanctions came after the National Bureau of Investigation recommended the  filing of charges against  Coast Guard personnel  involved in the  fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in an encounter last May 9. The Philippines through Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Amadeo Perez Jr. also issued an apology to the family of 65-year old fisherman Hung Shih Cheng who was killed during the encounter. Estrada pointed out information showing that Taiwan is among the top destinations of OFWs and is host to some 80,000 to 100,000 Filipino workers. Statistics also showed that the deployment of workers in Taiwan is estimated at 40,000 every year. He then urged Philippine officials, particularly the MECO, to beef up steps aimed at further strengthening and normalizing the two governments’ relations. Tension rose, he noted, during the three months that the issue was being addressed and investigated, and actual incidents of harassment against Filipinos in Taiwan Read More …

Manila to apologize for Taiwan fisherman’s death—daughter

 News
Aug 052013
 
Manila to apologize for Taiwan fisherman’s death—daughter

Agence France-Presse 8:52 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 Taiwan government experts along with National Bureau of Investigation personnel are onboard the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) patrol boat Maritime Control Surveillance 3001, the patrol boat used by PCG when the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman happened, docked at a pier in Manila on May 28, 2013.  AFP FILE PHOTO TAIPEI — The Philippines will send a special envoy to Taiwan to apologize for the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman, his daughter said Monday, signalling a potential breakthrough in a major row. The remarks sparked hopes that the conciliatory move, if realized, could ease the strained relationship between Taipei and Manila following the shooting of 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng on May 9 in disputed waters. “The Filipino side has agreed to apologize to us in a public manner,” Hung Tzu-ching, the fisherman’s daughter, told reporters in Pingtung city, adding that the agreement was made with lawyers authorized by the Filipino government. “They have agreed to send a special envoy (over the matter)… we insist the representative must represent the Filipino government. They will let us know in advance who will be appointed. If we feel the designated representative is OK, then the time will be decided,” she said. Officials at Manila’s Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the Philippines de facto embassy in Taiwan, were not immediately available for comment. A presidential spokeswoman in Manila said she had no immediate confirmation of the move. Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao Read More …

VP Binay seeks reautopsy on OFW who allegedly committed suicide in Taiwan

 Entertainment
Jul 312013
 

MANILA, July 30 (Mabuhay) — Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to reexamine the remains of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who allegedly committed suicide in Taiwan. Binay, the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, said the parents of the 29-year-old OFW had requested a reautopsy as they doubt […]

Taiwan coast guard recues 3 Filipino fishermen

 News
Jul 302013
 
Taiwan coast guard recues 3 Filipino fishermen

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 3:33 pm | Tuesday, July 30th, 2013 This handout photo released by Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration on July 22, 2013 shows three Filipino fishermen hold on their small boat on the sea near the southern Kaohsiung city. Taiwan’s coast guards have rescued three Filipino fishermen who spent five days adrift when a storm blew their small boat hundreds of kilometers off course, officials said. AFP PHOTO/ TAIWAN’S COAST GUARD ADMINISTRATION MANILA, Philippines-Three Filipino fishermen were rescued by the Taiwanese Coast Guard crew who found them drifting on a lifeboat for several days after their fishing boats capsized 37 nautical miles south of Taiwan last July 15. The three fishermen, Ronald Dumaran, Gener Mendoza, and Edwin Zoilo, the boat captain, went out to sea on July 15 and encountered heavy rains and strong waves whipped up by a storm that overturned their boat on the 17th. Zoilo, during an interview with reporters at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), recounted how they spent five days and four nights drifting on their capsized boat before they were rescued by the Taiwanese Coast Guard on July 21. “Kung ano mangyari sa amin, kung anong makain namin na madaanan sa laot, paghati-hatian naming. Yung isang pirasong ‘kapikon’, parang alimasag, pinagtatlo namin. Hinati ko ng tatlo, walang lamangan,” he said. (Whatever happened to us, what we found floating along, we divided among ourselves equally. We caught a crab and divided it into three.) “Nung umulan, sumahod din ako ng tubig, nakasahod Read More …

Pals raising fund to repatriate Pampanga nurse slain in US

 News
Jul 242013
 
Pals raising fund to repatriate Pampanga nurse slain in US

By Tonette OrejasInquirer Central Luzon 6:32 pm | Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The friends of a Filipino nurse who was shot and killed Saturday as he rode his car to work in Memphis, Tennessee, began raising money to bring his remains back to the Philippines, his aunt in Angeles City said on Wednesday. Angelina Geronimo said the body of her nephew, Eraño Catap Santos, 33, could not yet be brought home because the investigation has yet to be completed. “There are no suspects yet,” Geronimo said of the probe in the United States. A report from ABC News Radio (http://abcnewsradioonline.com/memphis-news/) cited witnesses as telling investigators that Santos “was shot during a physical altercation” in the parking lot of the Stonebridge Crossing Apartments. The report said Santos’ vehicle was seized. Geronimo said Santos’ friends are raising $10,000 (P432,200) to bring him home for a burial in Angeles City. Santos, a bachelor and the youngest of four siblings who were orphaned at an early age, started working in Tennessee in May last year. “He was kind, quiet and had many friends,” Geronimo said. RELATED STORIES OFW remittances up by 6% to $2B in April 3 OFWs come forward to complain of abuse  Solon wants PH, Taiwan to make up for OFWs’ sake Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart Read More …

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