Filipino hurt as tensions rise in Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman Amadeo Perez confirmed on Friday, May 17, that an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has been attacked with a baseball bat in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.

“It’s confirmed by our people [that] an OFW was hit by a baseball bat. I think his arm [was hit],” Perez said.

The incident happened as tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines rise with the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman last week.

The Philippine Coast Guard admitted last week that they shot dead a 65-year-old fisherman after his vessel illegally sailed into Philippine waters.

The Philippine government, through MECO, has already conveyed its sincere apologies over the tragic incident but the Taiwanese government still sanctioned and ban the hiring of new workers from the Philippines.

“The situation in Taiwan now is very tense. The Taiwanese are so emotional about this incident that tempers are running very high,” Perez said.

Perez disclosed that MECO has yet to confirm the name of the Filipino worker and an official statement has not been made.

Perez added that only Filipino resident representatives were asked to leave Taiwan but the office remained open to cater the needs of Filipino workers.

Taiwan demands

Perez recalled how he already apologized to the family of the fisherman in behalf of President Benigno Aquino III but the family still demanded for “a personal apology” from the President.  

“They want the President to apologize himself to the Taiwanese government which would not be keeping in their protocol,” Perez said.

Perez however assured the family of the fisherman and the Taiwanese government that an investigation of the shooting has been given top priority by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as ordered by the President Aquino and Justice Secretary Liela De Lima.

“If our people are guilty, they will be made to face the consequences of their act,” Perez said.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that reports of Filipino workers being harassed in Taiwan were “isolated” incidents, which do not necessarily reflect how the Taiwanese regard Filipinos. But Lacierda quickly appealed to the Taiwanese people “to refrain from hurting and making Filipino compatriots an instrument of their anger.”

Perez echoed Lacierda’s appeal and asked Filipinos in Taiwan to “stay cautious and extra careful.”

“We caution all Filipinos in Taiwan not to go out drinking in restaurants or places of entertainment. Avoid exposing yourself to danger because you can never tell how these people will react,” Perez said. – Rappler.com