OFWs in Taiwan deny being Pinoys to escape harassment
Labor group urges Taiwanese govt to protect Pinoys in Taiwan. Members of the Partido ng Manggagawa stage a rally in front of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Makati City on Wednesday to urge the Taiwanese government to ensure the safety and job security of thousands of Filipinos in Taiwan.Danny Pata
Some overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Taiwan have admitted to denying being Filipinos to avoid harassment from Taiwanese residents amid rising tensions between the Philippines and Taiwan.
Vincent Baliton, an OFW in Taiwan told GMA News' 24Oras Wednesday that some of his friends have told him they denied being Filipinos when asked by Taiwanese residents.
“Namalengke raw sila. Tinanong kung Pilipino sila. Eh sa takot ng kasamahan ko, nag-deny sila na [Pilipino sila]. [Sinabi nila] na Indonesian sila,” Baliton was quoted in Jamie Santos' 24Oras report .
The ongoing row between the Philippines and Taiwan stemmed from the May 9 incident where a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel allegedly shot and killed a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters near Batanes.
Philippine authorities have claimed that the shooting transpired after a Taiwanese vessel tried to ram their ship.
Philippine authorities have claimed that the shooting transpired after a Taiwanese vessel tried to ram their ship.
Baliton's wife, Wilma is worried about him since Baliton goes out every now and then to have dialysis treatment for his kidney.
She fears that Vincent may be ganged up by angry Taiwanese like a previous incident where an OFW was mauled by 12 Taiwanese gangsters while walking on the street.
But Baliton reassured his wife that he was safe telling her: “Wag siyang mag alala, okay lang ako dito.”
For Danilo Taripe, he feared for the safety of his daughter Melanie who has been working in Taiwan for three years as a factory employee.
“Kung talagang magulo diyan sa Taiwan, umuwi ka na lang dito,” he told his daughter through the interview.
Melanie's daughter, Leila Mae, is also hoping that her mother is safe amid rising tensions in Taiwan. Taripe also called out to the government of Taiwan to not involve innocent OFWs.
Tourism affected
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), some direct flights from Taipei to the Kalibo International Airport have already been canceled.
Flights to the Kalibo airport are usually bound for Boracay, one of the top tourists spots of the Philippines.
But the same TV report said there is a steady flow of tourists from China and South Korea.
Cyber crime
Meanwhile in Vigan, Ilocos Norte, at least 50 Chinese and Taiwanese tourists were invited by the Bureau of Immigration for the verification of their travel documents.
The group was caught for alleged cybersex crime after a raid in the resort where they were staying.
The group included 40 Taiwanese and 12 Chinese nationals who voluntarily came with the police but were released and brought to Manila after their lawyer threatened to file a case for illegal detention against the authorities. — Andrei Medina/RSJ, GMA News
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