PH, Taiwan begin parallel probe

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – A team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrived in Taiwan on Monday, May 27 to conduct its own probe of the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in Philippine waters. 

Amadeo Perez, head of the Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO), told Rappler that the NBI team left at 7:50 am for Taipei, and arrived at around 10 am. On the other hand, Taiwanese investigators arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) just before 10 am. 

The two teams will conduct a “parallel probe” of the shooting of Hung Shih-chen, in a move widely seen as a compromise to ease tensions between both neighbors. 

President Benigno Aquino III has apologized to Taiwan through Perez, but Taipei rejected it. Taiwan has issued sanctions against Manila including a ban on hiring Filipino workers. 

There are currently 87,000 Philippine workers in Taiwan and labor authorities said nearly 2,000 new applications are submitted monthly. Data show that 72% of Filipino workers in Taiwan are employed in the manufacturing sector.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) admitted they shot on May 9 a Taiwanese fishing boat, the Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28, which was allegedy conducting illegal fishing activities off Balintang Island in northern Philippines. Taiwan insists he was slain within its exclusive economic zone.

Perez said the NBI team will interview the other crew members of the fishing vessel, gather evidence such as bullet slugs, and conduct ballistic tests.

No re-autopsy

The NBI’s request to conduct a re-autopsy of Hung’s body was denied, however. 

Perez earlier said that the Taiwanese government has set new conditions which could delay the trip of the investigators. He declined to specify what these conditions are, adding it is only the Department of Justice that has the authority to discuss such matter. 

Malacañang later denied there were new conditions. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the DOJ is “only  firming up certain details of the visit by both sides.”

The NBI team was able to get its clearance from the Taiwanese government on May 25 after the Department of Justice agreed to give Taiwan a copy of the video of the encounter between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Taiwanese crew.

Prior to that, a team of Taiwanese investigators arrived in Manila on May 16, but returned home after failing to get a consensus with Philippine officials.

The shooting has sparked incidents of violence against Filipino workers in Taiwan. – Rappler.com