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Philippines suspends 11 officers over Taiwanese fisherman's death

ROC Central News Agency

2013/05/10 19:47:15

Manila, May 10 (CNA) The Philippines has suspended 11 law enforcement officers involved in the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman at sea, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Diwata Isorena said Friday.

The 11 officers were being held under watch at the request of Raymond L.S. Wang, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Disorena added.

Disorena made the remarks at a press conference to explain the incident in which Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, 65, was shot and killed.

Also at the press conference, Asis Perez, director of the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, expressed his condolences to Hung's family and promised that his government will carry out a transparent and fair investigation into the incident.

He made the remarks after President Ma Ying-jeou demanded an apology and compensation from the Philippines for the killing, as well as the arrest of those responsible.

As to whether the Philippines will offer compensation for Hung's death, Perez said his government will not rule out any option, but added that this does not mean it was admitting to any wrongdoing.

Disorena, meanwhile, said he had called Coast Guard officers involved in the incident back for investigation, but he did not say when the investigation will be completed.

Perez described the shooting as an unfortunate incident and said the country will take steps to avoid any recurrence.

Other Philippine officials said that the Taiwanese fishing boat provoked the indicent and that the Phillipine vessel acted in 'apprpriate response.'

The incident occurred Thursday morning around 160 nautical miles southeast of the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

Hung was one of four crewmen of the Taiwanese fishing vessel the Guang Ta Hsin 28. The 15-ton fishing boat was being towed back to Taiwan and was expected to arrive early Saturday.

According to the Philippine side, the law enforcement officers were forced to open fire on the fishing boat and the incident occurred in Philippine waters.

(By Emerson Lim and Y.L. Kao)
ENDITEM/J