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Navy's holding of exercise hinges on Philippine response

ROC Central News Agency

2013/05/14 14:45:30

Taipei, May 14 (CNA) The Navy is ready for a military exercise in waters south of Taiwan on May 16, but will see how the Philippines responds to Taiwan's demands in a diplomatic row before acting on the plan, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday.

The exercise, to be conducted jointly with Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA), was one of the measures taken by Taiwan's government in response to an attack by a Philippine government vessel on a Taiwanese fishing boat May 9 that left a Taiwanese fisherman dead.

Trying to appear tough on Manila amid outrage over the incident in Taiwan, the government also gave the Philippines an ultimatum with a Tuesday midnight deadline.

It demanded that Manila formally apologize for the incident, compensate the victim's family, and punish those responsible for the strafing of the fishing boat.

MND spokesman Luo Shou-he said the Navy has completed the planning of the military exercise but will not make any decision on its next move until it sees whether the Philippine government offers a response that shows good will.

The Philippines is expected to give a response on Tuesday.

Luo would not say if the exercise will go ahead should the Philippines meet one of Taiwan's demands and issue a formal apology for the incident.

He said the MND "has many action plans up its sleeve," and the ministry will act in line with the guidelines of the government.

"The planning and the preparations are there, but that doesn't mean the exercise will definitely be held on May 16 as everybody thinks," he said.

Aside from threatening to hold a military exercise in waters south of Taiwan, Taiwan has also said it would suspend the importation of Filipino workers and recall its de facto ambassador from Manila if the Philippines does not respond positively to its demands.

Luo stressed that if the Philippines shows good will in its response, the Republic of China (Taiwan), as a democratic and reasonable country, will respond in an appropriate and responsible manner.

Deputy Minister of Defense Andrew Yang said Monday that the Navy and the CGA will conduct a joint exercise May 16 that includes Kidd-class destroyers and Chengkung-class frigates to show Taiwan's determination to protect its fishermen operating in the country's waters.

(By Rogge Chen and Lilian Wu)