Philippines forms team to document violence in Taiwan

Manila: The Philippines will address incidents of violence committed against Filipinos in Taiwan, the palace said, adding that steps would also be taken to cushion the impact of worsening ties between the neighbours.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a government radio interview, said the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taiwan, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), has organised a team that will document reports of harassment and assaults against Filipinos in Taiwan. These incidents will be relayed to Taiwan’s foreign ministry.

Earlier, there were reports that Filipinos were attacked in Taiwan as residents vented their ire over the killing of a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman on May 9 in a sea incident. The Philippines has tried to appease Taiwan by issuing an apology. Authorities in Taiwan rejected it, accusing Manila of “insincerity”.

Meanwhile, some markets and business establishments in Taiwan have posted signs that Filipinos are unwelcome. According to reports, some of them are already planning to return to the Philippines.

MECO chairman Amadeo Perez said a hate campaign is being waged against Filipinos in the island state. “Emotions run high against Filipinos in Taiwan. There seems to be a hate campaign being waged,” Perez said in an interview aired over radio station dzMM.

President’s assurance

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has promised to protect Filipinos and spare them from violence.

Valte said the Philippines would try to mend frayed ties with Taiwan. “We’ve repeatedly made the call for calm and that our Filipino overseas workers in Taiwan have nothing to do with the said incident… they are there to work, not to make trouble,” Valte said.

Asked if the Aquino government would send an emissary to work with the Taiwanese to protect Filipinos, Valte said the government has not decided on sending an envoy.

On the possible impact of the tension on the country’s tourism sector and trade ties, Valte said it would both hurt the Philippines and Taiwan economically.

Valte said the labour department had already made up a contingency plan in case there was an exodus of Filipinos from Taiwan. The Department of Labour and Employment has been looking for alternative countries that could absorb Filipinos affected by the present tension, she added.

Alternative markets

Based on government figures, 72 per cent of Filipinos in Taiwan are employed in the manufacturing sector. “By looking for other alternative markets, we would be able to see which other markets also have a high number of openings for the manufacturing sector,” she said.

“The Labour department has deemed it fit to look into other alternative markets that are capable of absorbing the number of Filiponos who may wish to come back or who may have to leave their places of employment in Taiwan,” she said.

Among the possible markets would be South Korea, Middle East and Malaysia, she added.