Aquino sends emissary to Taiwan to convey apology

Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III appointed Amadeo Perez Jr., chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), to stand as his representative to convey his “deep regret and apology” over the death of fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng.

In a press briefing at the Malacañang Palace, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Perez will meet Taiwanese Foreign Minister David Lin on Wednesday to deliver an official correspondence to apologize to the family of the fisherman who was shot dead off Batanes last week by crewmen of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou earlier froze the hiring of Filipino workers.

Lacierda also said that the National Bureau of Investigation has started its probe into the death of Hung.

“We certainly would hope that they see this as a sincere gesture,” he said, noting the rejected apology from MECO Taipei head Antonio Basilio whose emissary was sent back to Manila.

Apart from a “formal apology,” Ma also asked the Philippine government to offer assistance, or compensation to the fisherman’s family, among others.