3 Filipino fishers hit by storm to be repatriated from Taiwan—PCG

 News
Jul 222013
 
3 Filipino fishers hit by storm to be repatriated from Taiwan—PCG

By Jerry E. EsplanadaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 1:06 pm | Monday, July 22nd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The government will repatriate shortly three Filipino fishermen who were rescued Saturday by Taiwanese coast guard about 80 nautical miles off Kaohsiung port in southern Taiwan days after they were caught in storm last week, the spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard said Monday. Commander Armand Balilo, also chief of the PCG Public Affairs Office, told the Inquirer on Monday that they were “coordinating with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (in Taipei) for the repatriation of the rescued fishermen.” He identified the fishermen as Ronald Dumaran, Edwin Zoilo and Gener Mendoza, all residents of Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Citing a report from the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Makati City, Balilo said the fishermen “encountered a storm last July 15.” “On board a fishing boat, they drifted for five days until they were rescued by a Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel,” he said.  “They are in good condition and currently under the custody of the TCG in Kaohsiung.” However, “another Filipino fishing boat (with an undisclosed number of crew) is still missing,” said Balilo. In May, a Philippine fisheries patrol vessel manned by the PCG shot at a Taiwanese fishing boat near Balintang Channel in northern Philippines. The PCG had admitted that its personnel shot at the vessel in an incident that left Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-chen dead. The Coast Guard shrugged off an Inquirer report that the National Bureau of Investigation had recommended the filing Read More …

Taiwan military drill stages China attack scenario

 News
Jul 152013
 
Taiwan military drill stages China attack scenario

Agence France-Presse 9:00 pm | Monday, July 15th, 2013 TAIPEI — Taiwan started a computerized military drill on Monday, set against an imagined scenario in which China invades the island in 2017. The five-day exercise is part of the island’s biggest annual military maneuver which is this year codenamed ‘Han Kuang 29′ (Han Glory 29), officials at the defense ministry said Monday. The drill simulates a surprise attack by the Chinese in 2017, followed by a large-scale invasion, the ministry said, without explaining why the scenario is being staged in that particular year. But analysts said the time-frame was reasonable, given China’s continued military development and its territorial disputes with neighboring countries. “Looking ahead, we can expect China to put into service — to name just a few — its first carrier battle group, stealth planes and Type 081 amphibious assault ships,” Kevin Cheng, editor-in-chief of the Taipei-based Asia-Pacific Defense Magazine, told AFP. “China’s landing capabilities would be significantly lifted once its forces are armed with the amphibious assault ships, designed to carry transport, anti-submarine and attack helicopters,” he said. The amphibious assault ships could be used in its disputes in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, Cheng added. He also warned of the threat from China’s deployment of more than 1,500 ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Taiwan, as their accuracy has been enhanced. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have eased since Ma Ying-jeou’s China-friendly administration came to power in 2008 on a platform of beefing up Read More …

One dead, 31 injured as Typhoon Soulik hits Taiwan

 News
Jul 132013
 
One dead, 31 injured as Typhoon Soulik hits Taiwan

Agence France-Presse 3:13 pm | Saturday, July 13th, 2013 TAIPEI—Typhoon Soulik battered Taiwan with torrential rain and powerful winds on Saturday that left one person dead and at least 30 people injured. This as the typhoon, codenamed “Huaning” in the Philippines, left the country’s area of responsibility Saturday morning, prompting the lifting of all public storm alerts in extreme Northern Luzon. As daylight dawned, some areas in Taiwan were submerged by flood waters, roofs were ripped from homes, and debris and fallen trees littered the streets. More heavy rain and strong winds are predicted throughout Saturday with the authorities warning of landslides and further flooding. More than 8,000 people were evacuated from their homes before the typhoon hit, many from southern areas prone to landslides. Soldiers have been deployed to high risk areas and the whole island declared an “alert zone” by the authorities. In the capital Taipei, a 50-year-old police officer died after being hit by bricks that came loose during the typhoon, the Central Emergency Operation Centre said. Three people were left seriously injured with 31 reported hurt in four cities in northeast Taiwan, most of them hit by trees or flying debris. Soulik made landfall on the northeast coast around 03 a.m. Saturday (2000 GMT Friday), packing winds of up to 190 kilometers an hour (118 miles), the Central Weather Bureau said. “We expect Soulik to continue to affect Taiwan with heavy rains and strong winds throughout Saturday across Taiwan even though it is moving away and Read More …

De Lima: PHL, Taiwan haven't exchanged probe results yet

 News
Jun 272013
 
De Lima: PHL, Taiwan haven't exchanged probe results yet

Almost a month after completing their separate investigations on the May 9 shooting incident in disputed waters off extreme north Luzon, the Philippines and Taiwan have yet to share their probe results with each other. This was confirmed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima when reporters in Manila asked for updates in the Balintang Channel shooting incident that left a Taiwanese fisherman dead. “We have not  given each other a copy of the respective reports kasi ‘pag ire-release, [we will] give prior notice,” the Justice chief said. De Lima said the release of the probe results would be “halos sabay” [almost simultaneous]. “But I haven’t  seen their  report and they haven’t seen ours,” De Lima assured the public. Also, de Lima said they would be following up with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) so the Philippines can finally get a copy of Taiwan’s probe results. “And if they ask for our copy, we will furnish them simultaneously in public for the release.” De Lima earlier forwarded to President Benigno Aquino the probe results prepared by the National Bureau of Investigation, which conducted weeks of investigation both in Manila and in Taiwan. “I’m waiting the clearance from the President kung puwede nang i-release  ang Taiwan report… Since it’s with the President  already [at] since binabasa na niya iyon, I’m just waiting,” she said. Earlier, De Lima, while at the World Congress Against Death Penalty, confirmed to reporters that criminal and administrative charges have been recommended by the NBI against Read More …

‘Fishing talks between PH, Taiwan may violate ‘one-China’ policy’

 News
Jun 172013
 
‘Fishing talks between PH, Taiwan may violate ‘one-China’ policy’

SAYS LAW EXPERT: By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:44 pm | Monday, June 17th, 2013 Harry Roque, chairman of the Center for International Law MANILA, Philippines — The start of fisheries talks between the Philippines and Taiwan might violate the country’s one-China policy and Manila should instead craft any future pact with Taipei as a local government of China, an international law expert said. Harry Roque, chairman of the Center for International Law, however, welcomed the decision of the two sides to avoid the use of force in fishing disputes — a positive step in what has been rough relations between the Philippines and what it considers a province of China. “Talks may violate the one-China policy. All talks with Taiwan should be because it is part of China. The alternative is to craft as an agreement with a local government of China,” Roque said on Monday. As part of the government’s one-China policy, the Philippines handles its ties with Taiwan not through the Department of Foreign Affairs but through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office under the Office of the President, with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office as its counterpart. Roque, however, has a positive view of the agreement against the use of force in fishing issues, saying the right to life is above the right to use natural resources. “But I welcome the agreement not to resort to use of force against illegal poachers. The right to life is preeminent and superior specially to mere ecological rights Read More …

TD Emong nears Catanduanes but not likely to make landfall

 News
Jun 172013
 
TD Emong nears Catanduanes but not likely to make landfall

Tropical Depression Emong moved closer to Catanduanes province in Bicol before noon Monday but state weather forecasters said it is not likely to make landfall over any part of the country. PAGASA forecaster Alvin Pura said their models show that while Emong may intensify in the next 24 hours, it is also likely to veer north and head for Taiwan. “Hindi inaasahan natin itong mag-landfall. Inaasahan natin itong tumaas at papunta ng Taiwan,” Pura said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he also said Emong is likely to intensify in the next 24 hours as it moves closer toward land. Pura also said there is a possibility Emong may interact with a forming low-pressure area west of Ilocos region later this week. “Talagang lalakas ang habagat natin,” he said. Emong moving west-northwest PAGASA, in its 11 a.m. bulletin, said Emong maintained its strength as it remained over the East Philippine Sea. It said that as of 10 a.m., Emong was estimated at 280 km east of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center. Emong was moving west-northwest at 11 kph and is expected to be 230 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Tuesday morning. By Wednesday morning, it is expected to be 330 km east of Aparri, Cagayan.  Emong is forecast to be 400 km northeast of Basco, Batanes by Thursday morning. While no storm warning signals have been raised, PAGASA said Emong may bring rainfall of 5 to 15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) Read More …

PH, Taiwan shun force

 News
Jun 162013
 
PH, Taiwan shun force

Talks to resolve fishing disputes start By Christine O. AvendañoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:09 am | Monday, June 17th, 2013 The Philippines and Taiwan have “agreed in principle” to avoid the use of force in fishing disputes, as they begin to resolve a row over the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in overlapping waters last month. Officials of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco) reached the agreement during their preparatory meeting on fishery cooperation held in Manila on Friday, Meco Chairman Amadeo Perez said on Sunday. The meeting came as both Manila and Taipei concluded their cooperative investigation of the fatal shooting of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-chen, 65, by Filipino coast guards. The National Bureau of Investigation, after examining evidence and witnesses here and in Taiwan, resolved the case last week, with a recommendation to bring criminal and administrative charges against coast guards who fired on the Taiwanese fishing boat Guan Ta Hsin 28 off Balintang Island on May 9. Taiwanese investigators who also looked at evidence and examined witnesses here and in their country have not yet announced their conclusions, but Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday said she expected the Taiwanese findings not to be too far from the results of the NBI probe. De Lima submitted the NBI investigative report to President Aquino on Tuesday. The shooting death of Hung sparked public anger in Taiwan. Taipei demanded an apology from the Philippine government, compensation for Hung’s family, Read More …

PNoy decision awaited on May 9 report on death of Taiwanese fisherman

 News
Jun 152013
 
PNoy decision awaited on May 9 report on death of Taiwanese fisherman

President Benigno Aquino III has yet to issue any instructions on the report he received earlier this week about the incident wherein a Taiwanese fisherman died on May 9 during an encounter involving the Philippine Coast Guard. “Let’s just wait. Everyone is anticipating what the results will be. At this point we have not received any instructions apart from confirming that the report has been submitted to the Office of the President,” Deputy presidential spokespersons Abigail Valte  said on government-run dzRB radio. Earlier this week, the National Bureau of Investigation’s final report on the May 9 incident was submitted to Malacañang, more than a month after the encounter between a Philippine fisheries surveillance ship and a Taiwanese fishing vessel. A Taiwanese fisherman was shot dead in the incident, prompting Taiwan to demand an apology from the Philippine government. Taiwan has frozen the hiring of new labor from the Philippines, and issued a travel alert discouraging travel to the Philippines. The tension has since eased somewhat after a parallel investigation of the incident by both sides.  — ELR, GMA News

NBI report on Taiwanese fisherman's death now with De Lima

 News
Jun 112013
 
NBI report on Taiwanese fisherman's death now with De Lima

The report of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the May 9 fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters has already been submitted to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. De Lima, however, refused to disclose the contents of the report, saying it will be forwarded immediately to President Benigno Aquino III. “Yes. Might submit it to the President today,” said De Lima in a text message to reporters when asked if the report has already been submitted to her. De Lima had earlier said once she gets a copy of the report, it would be submitted to Aquino first before it will be released to the public. NBI deputy director Virgilio Mendez has earlier confirmed to GMA News Online the transmission of the report to De Lima. “Per my information, it will be delivered now to the DOJ,” Mendez said earlier in the day. Two weeks ago, eight NBI agents flew to Taiwan to conduct their probe on the incident. The team inspected the fishing vessel of the victim and interviewed his companions when the shooting happened. The NBI also interviewed the medico-legal expert that autopsied the victim. The team were also allowed to view the video of the autopsy. A seven-man Taiwanese team also went to the Philippines for a four-day parallel investigation on the incident. The fatal shooting of the 65-year-old fisherman had caused a rift between the Philippines and Taiwan. Both the Philippines and Taiwan insisted that the incident happened within their respective territories. — Read More …

No politics in banning of Taiwan food products, says Palace exec

 News
Jun 102013
 
No politics in banning of Taiwan food products, says Palace exec

No politics involved. This was how a Malacañang official described a decision by a government agency banning 15 food products from Taiwan that were found to contain maleic acid, an unapproved food additive that could potentially harm the kidney. “Alam mo ang kagandahan dito sa FDA (Food and Drug Administration) there is empirical evidence e.  [They were banned] because of the presence of a certain ingredient. It’s not subject to politics,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing Monday. Lacierda added that the banning of the food products, which include tapioca pearls and rice noodles, have been subjected to tests. “It’s subject to a scientific evaluation whether that banned substance exists in those products, and if it is, under our laws, it is banned. It is as simple as that,” Lacierda said. “It has nothing to do with politics. It has nothing to do with the present situation that we’re in with Taiwan. FDA ‘yung nagdesisyon ‘nun e,” he added. Lacierda said the government continues to look out for the health of all Filipinos. “Siyempre ang concern po ng gobyerno, ‘yung safety po at ‘yung kaligtasan, ang kalusugan po ng ating mga mamamayan. It has everything to do with the health of the Filipino citizens,” he said. However, Lacierda also expressed hope that the tensions in Taiwan, which has resulted in cases of discrimination agaisnt OFW’s there, will end soon. “Siyempre gusto nating ma-lift ‘yung sanctions pero alam ninyo, meron tayong investigation na nangyayari ngayon, NBI and their Taiwanese Read More …

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