Philippines asked to probe Taiwanese fisherman's death
Philippines asked to probe Taiwanese fisherman's death | Latest | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS
Taipei, May 9 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand that the Philippines government investigate the death of a Taiwanese fisherman who was allegedly shot by the Philippines' military in overlapping waters of the two countries, an official said Thursday.
The president has also asked all relevant government agencies to remain on top of the development of the unfortunate case, Presidential Office spokesperson Garfie Li said.
The death of the Taiwanese man needs further investigation, said Chou Yin-hwou, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He added that the ministry has expressed its concern to the Philippines over the case and has protested the matter.
Hung Shih-cheng, 65, was shot dead by Philippines military personnel earlier in the day while fishing 170 nautical miles off the southern coast of Taiwan in a boat bearing the country's flag, according to two fishermen's associations in Pingtung, southern Taiwan.
Hung's son, son-in-law and another Indonesian fisherman were also on board when the shots were fired at the fishing boat, the Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28, the associations said. One of the associations urged the Taiwan government to demand compensation from the Philippines.
Chou, however, said it cannot yet be determined whether the shots were fired from a military frigate or an armed private vessel.
He said Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has dispatched a vessel to rescue the Taiwanese fishing boat, which suffered an engine failure.
In a statement Thursday, the foreign ministry said two Taiwanese fishing boats are helping to tow the boat back to Taiwan under the escort of the CGA vessel.
The ministry said it has expressed concern over the shooting incident to the Philippines' deputy representative to Taiwan Carlo L. Aquino and asked Philippine authorities to solve the case and arrest the culprit.
Meanwhile, the ministry said it has conveyed its condolences to Hung's family and offered to provide any necessary assistance.