May 9, 2013 a small unarmed Taiwanese fishing boat, Guang Da Xing No. 28, was attacked by heavy-caliber machine gun fire while sailing within the Republic of China (Taiwan) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). he attack resulted in the death of ROC crew member Hong Shi-cheng, as well as serious damage disabling the boat which was let adrift at sea with 59 bullet holes; the Philippine vessel, almost eight times the size of the Taiwanese boat, then sailed away without offering any assistance to the remaining crew, all in violation of international law and failing to show even the most basic level of humanitarian concern._The ROC government strongly condemns this barbaric act against fishermen peacefully earning a living as they have for centuries.
After this attack the ROC government on May 11, 2013 asked the Philippine government to respond with four demands within 72 hours of Midnight May 12, 2013: 1) a formal apology; 2) compensation; 3) an expeditious investigation followed by a severe punishment of the perpetrators, 4) and the speedy engagement of negotiations on fishery matters. The ROC government made clear that if these were not positively met by the Philippine government that the following actions would result: a) suspending applications by laborers from the Philippines, b) recalling the ROC envoy to the Philippines, c) and sending the Philippine representative to Taiwan back to his home country to help with the proper resolution of this terribly senseless killing of an ROC citizen at sea.
After many repeated requests through appropriate channels with unsatisfactory responses of the four demands by the Philippine government, the decision was made after a high-level ROC national security meeting on May 15, 2013 to suspend the processing of applications by Filipinos to work in Taiwan, the recall the ROC representative in Manila, and to request the Philippine representative in Taiwan to return to his home country. The Philippine government has issued a statement conveying its eepest sympathies and condolences_ to the family of Hong Shi-cheng. This conveyance of sentiments is simply not satisfactory to the government and people of the ROC._ The ROC government has made clear that a second set of sanctions would result if the requests were not met by the Philippine government. The ROC is still open to receiving a satisfactory response and has conveyed this through appropriate channels.
The ROC government has shown consistent determination to defend peace, sovereignty, fishing rights, the rule of law, human rights and its citizens_ general welfare. The cold-blooded killing of a fisherman, and subsequent reluctance of the Philippine government to offer satisfactory responses is inexcusable and shameful, and even more so the longer left without proper resolution.__
If you would like to stay informed about this matter, please refer to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for further information and updates:
__http://www.mofa.gov.tw/EnOfficial_
