ROC lifts sanctions on the Philippines

On August 8, the People's Republic of China (ROC) government announced that it had lifted its sanctions against the Philippines effective immediately, following the constructive response of the Philippine government to the shooting incident involving

Co-operative and friendly relations between the two countries are being restored, Foreign Affairs Minister David Y.L. Lin said at a news conference in Taipei City. The sanctions included a freeze on Filipino labor applications, a red travel alert discouraging ROC citizens from traveling to the Philippines for tourism or business, and suspension of bilateral exchanges and visa exemptions.

The announcement came after Amadeo R. Perez Jr., chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, and Antonio I. Basilio, Philippine representative to Taiwan, met with Lin to explain their government’s official written response to the incident.

Perez had traveled earlier in the day to the island of Xiaoliuqiu, off the southwest coast of Taiwan, to deliver a formal apology on behalf of Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and the people of the Philippines to the family of fisherman Hong Shi-cheng. Hong was killed May 9 when the Guang Da Xing No. 28 was fired on by a Philippine government patrol vessel while operating in waters within the overlapping exclusive economic zones of the two countries.

The ROC imposed the sanctions following its May 11 demands that the Philippine government make a formal apology, provide compensation, promptly investigate the incident and punish those responsible, and initiate fisheries cooperation talks at the earliest possible time.

The Philippine government has now responded positively to the four demands, Lin said, noting that Perez was authorized by President Aquino to deliver the apology. An agreement on compensation has also been reached between attorneys for the victim’s family and for MECO, he added.

On August 7, the two sides released separate investigation reports. The report by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation recommended that eight Philippine coast guard personnel be indicted for homicide and four for obstruction of justice. These recommendations are largely in accord with those of the Taiwan investigation, Lin said, and the Philippine Department of Justice has promised to initiate judicial proceedings as soon as possible.

With respect to fisheries co-operation, a preparatory meeting June 14 produced some concrete results, especially regarding strengthening maritime law enforcement without the use of force, to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents, Lin noted. The two sides also agreed to continue negotiating on fisheries issues.

Lin said the ROC now calls on the Philippines to promptly prosecute the PCG personnel responsible, hold the next round of fisheries talks at the earliest possible time, continue to enhance mechanisms promoting maritime law enforcement without violence, and take concrete measures to mend bilateral relations, especially with regard to trade and economy, with a view to the eventual signing of an economic cooperation agreement.

The ROC will continue routine patrols of its EEZ to the south to ensure the fishing operation rights and safety of its fishermen, Lin pointed out.

Based on the traditional friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines, the ROC hopes for the speedy normalization of relations, especially in trade and economy, science and technology, and culture, he added

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