Taiwanese wanted for fraud deported back to Taipei

MANILA, Philippines—A Taiwanese man wanted on fraud charges was deported back to his country Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities said his case was not related to the 14 Taiwanese earlier deported to China for fraud, a move that sparked diplomatic tensions between Philippines and Taiwan and put in question some 80,000 jobs being held by Filipinos in Taiwan.

(The Philippines officially recognizes the “One-China policy.” China considers Taiwan a renegade province, which must be isolated internationally, while Taiwan considers itself a sovereign country. Meanwhile, Philippines and Taiwan maintain unofficial diplomatic ties through a so-called economic and cultural office and through tourism and trade.)

The suspect, Huang Yu Ping, 30, in handcuffs, boarded China Airlines flight 704 at before 4 p.m., escorted by three Taiwan policemen.

A representative from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) said Huang was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Quezon City on December 22 with 28 others, and that he was a fugitive back in Taiwan. (The original 14 Taiwanese were arrested on December 27.)

The official said the 28 other Taiwanese had been released by the NBI.

He said Huang’s case was similar to the 14 Taiwanese, who were deported last month to China by Philippine officials, a move that plunged Taipei and Manila in a diplomatic row.

“Same modus operandi but different case,” said the TECO representative who did not give his name.

Asked if this would help repair relations between the two governments, he said: “I think so.”

“This is a positive sign,” he told reporters.

In December, Philippine immigration authorities arrested 14 Taiwanese and 10 Chinese nationals over an alleged scam to swindle mainlanders out of millions of dollars.

Those arrested were deported to China on February 2, a move that angered and prompted Taipei to threaten retaliatory action against some 80,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan and others who planned to work there unless the Philippines apologized.

The Philippine government has refused to do so, although it has taken measures to placate Taiwan’s anger such as sending an emissary.