Taiwanese cancel trips to Philippines over row

Boracay. Photo by Don Lejano/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine tourism officials said they stand to lose $4.5 million monthly in canceled bookings and charter flights from Taiwan as a result of a diplomatic row over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman.

Most of the cancelations have hit the popular beach resort of Boracay in the central Philippines, where Taiwanese visitors are the second largest group after South Koreans. In 2012, more than 90,000 Taiwanese visited the island.

The shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine coast guard on May 9 has led Taiwan’s government to freeze the hiring of Filipino workers and discourage travel.

The Department of Tourism said in reports published Tuesday that at least 43 flights from May 20 to June 30 between Taiwan and Kalibo International Airport serving Boracay have been canceled.

Local budget carrier Zest Air Inc., which is partly owned by Philippines’ AirAsia Inc., confirmed last week that it temporarily suspended its daily charter service between Kalibo and Taipei at the request of the charter agent.

“The unfortunate death of the Taiwanese fisherman is currently under investigation by both governments of the Philippines and Taiwan. It is our hope that a resolution is reached at the soonest possible time,” Zest Air said in a statement.

Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, and Cebu Pacific continue to operate regular flights between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Taiwan also has cut trade and sports exchanges with the Philippines.

The Chinese Taipei Basketball Association has written to its Philippine counterpart saying it would be prudent for the Philippines not to participate in this year’s Jones Cup tournament in July, said Sonny Barrios, executive director of the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

Barrios said that the Taiwanese organizers could not guarantee the safety of the Philippine team.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has apologized, calling the fisherman’s death “unintentional” and promised a quick investigation. The Taiwanese government insists the killing was intentional and demanded punishment and compensation.

Taiwanese investigators returned to Manila on Monday after initially complaining of lack of cooperation. Taiwan also allowed Philippine officials to conduct their parallel investigation in Taiwan.