No recommendation of deployment ban to Taiwan – MECO
The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) on Thursday said they won't be recommending a deployment ban of Filipino workers to Taiwan, at least for now.
“At this point in time, hindi kami magrerekomenda na huwag mag-deploy ng Filipino o magrepatriate,” MECO Managing Director Antonio Basilio told GMA News TV's News to Go host Howie Severino in an interview.
“Actually wala pa kaming natatanggap na request [na gustong magparepatriate],” Basilio added.
On May 9, a Taiwanese fisherman suspected of poaching was allegedly shot by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the Balintang channel resulting in Taipei's public outrage following his death.
But Basilio said there have been no recent reports of harassment against OFWs due to the vigilance and quick respondence of Taiwanese police.
“In the last 48 hours, wala kaming bagong report na may nasaktang Pilipino,” Basilio said, adding that the previous incidents have already been handled by Taiwanese authorities.
He said the culprits have been caught in all four cases and the complainants have either entered into an out-of-court settlement or pushed through in filing cases.
Taiwan's ministries of justice and foreign affairs and ultimately President Ma Ying-jeou have assured the safety of Filipinos residing in Taiwan.
OFWs still going to Taiwan
In the same interview, Basilio said there was a group of 20 Filipinos who went to Taiwan Wednesday to work there amid the reported freeze hiring against OFWs.
He said that those who have already been processed will still push through with their work in Taiwan.
He also noted that there are around 80,000 OFWs there and pulling out these workers may affect the Taiwanese economy.
“Malaki ang epekto kasi most of our workers there are employed sa kanilang manufactuing industry. Mostly mga hightech yun,” Basilio said, adding “Preferred nila yung mga Filipino because of their work ethic and their knowledge of English.”
He said that the Philippines and Taiwan are in talks with each other and the National Bureau of Investigation will be sending a team to inspect the fishing vessel in Taiwan while a Taiwanese team will inspect the guns used by the PCG.
Hoax
Meanwhile, Basilio belied earlier reports that some OFWs in Taiwan experienced being declined services in food stalls and markets there.
He said that this was part of a staged hoax by a reporter who recently got fired for trying to stir up the rising tensions between Philippines and Taiwan.
“Of course meron demonstration, may flag burning. May nagbabato ng itlog sa opisina namin pero di umaabot sa ganoong violence,” he said.
Basilio said Taiwan is angry since one of their countrymen died.
“Bihira naman mangyari sa Taiwan yun na may isang kababayan nila na napapatay. Kaya sa kanila, malaking issue pero not enough to cause public anger,” Basilio explained.
Letter from Taiwan?
When asked if he was asked to leave Taiwan on May 15, Basilio replied that he received a letter.
“Ang binigay nila sa akin sulat at announcement nila. Doon ay nirequest nila akong bumalik ng Pilipinas para makatulong sa paglutas ng problemang ito,” Basilio said.
He said that this is what he is doing and they are coordinating with the Taiwanese government to resolve the issue.
Financial compensation
At the same time, Basilio said the Philippines is waiting for the right moment to hand over a donation to the family of the slain Taiwanese fisherman.
He said that MECO chairman Amadeo Perez Jr. tried to hand over the financial donation to the family upon his arrival in Taiwan on May 15 but Perez wasn't able to get an audience with the family.
The financial compensation is one of four demands of Taiwan including an apology from the Philippine government, a bilateral fishing agreement and an impartial investigaion on the incident. — with Andrei Medina/RSJ, GMA News
Comments