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Taiwan sends naval vessels for drill in waters off Philippines

ROC Central News Agency

2013/05/15 19:42:37

Taipei, May 15 (CNA) The Navy dispatched two vessels Wednesday to participate in a drill set for the following day in waters south of Taiwan, in a show of the military's determination to protect Taiwanese fishermen operating in the area following a May 9 attack by a Philippine government vessel on a Taiwanese fishing boat.

A Kidd-class destroyer and a Lafayette-class frigate set sail from Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan to take part in the joint exercise with the Coast Guard Administration (CGA).

The drill follows the shooting of a Taiwanese fishing boat by the Philippine government vessel while it was operating in waters where the exclusive economic zones of Taiwan and the Philippines overlap. A 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman was killed in the attack.

The Ministry of National Defense said the exercise is designed to beef up protection for Taiwanese fishermen operating in the area.

Thursday's drill will see the two vessels and another Lafayette-class frigate already patrolling in waters south of Taiwan joining other CGA vessels in a maritime rescue simulation.

CGA head Wang Jinn-wang told reporters that the drill will cover waters as far south as 20 degrees north latitude, which is as far as the CGA traditionally goes to protect local fishing boats.

A CGA spokesman said three of its vessels ranging from 500 tons to 2,000 tons were scheduled to join the Navy ships west of the Philippines' Batanes Islands by noon the following day.

(By Elaine Hou and S.C. Chang)