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Manila says Taiwan can take part in 'thorough' probe into shooting

ROC Central News Agency

2013/05/15 03:02:33

Taipei, May 15 (CNA) The Philippines will allow Taiwan to take part in an investigation into a fatal shooting which has threatened the ties between the two neighboring countries, according to Antonio I. Basilio, the Philippine representative to Taiwan.

Relevant Philippine agencies will convene a meeting with their Taiwan counterparts "as soon as possible" to prevent similar incidents from reocurring, said Basilio, resident representative of Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).

He personally delivered the pledges in writing to David Lin, Taiwan's foreign minister when the two meet at the foreign ministry late Tuesday night.

At a press conference in the wee hours of Wednesday, Lin said the meeting on fishery cooperation with Philippine officials will hopefully take place before the end of May.

In the letter addressed to Lin, Basilio said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines will "lead a thorough, exhaustive, impartial and expeditious investigation" of the May 9 incident, in which Hung Shih-cheng, a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman, was killed.

Both sides have made arrangements for coordination between Taiwan's investigation and that of the Philippines' under a bilateral agreement signed last month to facilitate mutual legal assistance, he said.

Amadeo R. Perez, MECO's chairman, is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan later Wednesday to "convey the Filipino people's deep regret and apology to the family" of the deceased, Basilio said in the letter.

He described the death as an "unfortunate loss of life in the course of a fisheries law enforcement operation."

Perez will visit Hung's widow to "personally extend condolence and apology and to turn over donations received from commiserating citizens of the Philippines," he said in the letter.

At the press conference, Basilio said the money to be given to the Hung family will be "financial assistance" as the Philippine side understands that Hung was the bread earner of family.

Basilio concluded the letter by saying that the Philippines wishes to reassure the people of Taiwan that the shooting was "an isolated event that does not diminish the high regard and respect of the people of the Philippines for your people."

Basilio called on the foreign minister shortly after returning to Taiwan from Manila, where he had held consultations with Philippine officials over Taiwan's demands, including an official apology over the incident and compensation for his family.

Taiwan has also asked for the punishment of those responsible for Hung's death and for talks on the signing of a bilateral fishery agreement.

(By Elaine Hou and Jay Chen)