PH bracing for more sanctions over death of Taiwan fisherman

MANILA, Philippines–Manila is now preparing for “contingencies” after Taiwan imposed a second wave of sanctions against the Philippines over last week’s killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in waters off northern Luzon.

However, President Aquino has yet to issue an order for the repatriation of Filipinos working in Taiwan, said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte at a briefing on Friday.

Valte said that the Department of Labor and Employment was now looking into “alternative markets” for Filipino workers in Taiwan since the sanctions include a freeze on the hiring of Filipino migrant workers.

Eyed as new markets, especially for the manufacturing sector, are Middle East, South Korea and Malaysia, she said.

Premier Jiang Yi-huah speaks while holding a picture showing the number of gun holes in a fishing vessel after it was assaulted by the Philippine coastguard, killing a Taiwanese fisherman, during a press conference in Taipei on May 15, 2013. AFP PHOTO / Mandy Cheng

According to the Dole, out of an estimated 85,185 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan, 72 percent are working in the manufacturing sector/factories; 26 percent in personal/social services; and 2 percent in the fishery sector.

“If you recall, this is not the first time that we’ve dealt with this sort of sanction, and the Labor department has been looking into alternative markets because if you look at the figures, 72 percent of our OFWs in Taiwan are employed in the manufacturing sector,” said Valte.

“So in light of what has happened, the Labor department has deemed if fit to look into other alternative markets that are capable of absorbing the number of OFWs who may wish to come back or who may have to leave their places of employment,” she said.

DOLE would like to “see which other markets have a high number or … high openings for manufacturing sector,” said Valte.

She made it clear that the government was not about to launch retaliatory measures against Taiwan, but had to prepare for this “contingency” after Taiwan rejected a formal apology from no less than Mr. Aquino on Wednesday for the killing of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng.

Valte maintained that the Philippine government had already “done enough” via the diplomatic front “to avoid action to escalate tensions” when it sent Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chair Amadeo Perez to Taipei on Wednesday to “convey his and the Filipino people deep regret and apology … over the unfortunate and unintended loss of life.”

“We’ve gone the extra mile to not let the exchanges that we have deteriorate,” she said, adding:

“We’ve repeatedly expressed regret at the unfortunate incident. At this point, we are preparing for the contingencies for the possible impact of the sanctions.”

But instead of accepting the President’s apology, Taiwan proceeded to take retaliatory measures against the Philippines.

The new sanctions included a travel alert urging Taiwanese not to visit the Philippines, suspension of high-level exchanges, economic and trade exchanges, fishery cooperation and scientific research cooperation projects, and the launch of a military drill in waters near northern Philippines.

Valte said she didn’t have “that information,” when asked how Mr. Aquino reacted to news of Taipei’s rejection of the formal apology.

Asked about the wider implications of China backing Taiwan in this issue, Valte said: “There are may be opinions to that effect but, at this point, what we’re after really is to look at what we will do in light of the sanctions.”

She said the presidential directive was to “avoid escalation.”

“What I can tell you at this point is what we are doing in light of the sanctions that have been made. Our primary concern would be to first, for the welfare of our citizens who are there; and second, the possible effect of the sanctions, the possible effect that the sanctions may have on our OFWs who are there,” she said.

The government would focus on two things: “what assistance can be extended to those (in Taiwan) who may wish to return; and second, alternative markets that we can offer to them once they come home.”

But Valte said she “would not foreclose on any possible act or any possible steps that may be taken.”

The Internet is abuzz with reports of maltreatment or harassment of Filipino migrants in Taiwan, but Valte noted that Dole had “not received any of these reports.”

“However, we are aware of some reports that are coming out in media outlets of certain OFWS who are speaking on the condition of anonymity. We’d like to see also these accounts. But, again, we reiterate that we hope that our citizens will not bear the brunt of the incident. They are there to work and they are not there to make trouble. We appeal for calm also, and the appeal still goes out that our citizens will not be harmed,” said Valte.