Taiwanese govt will not vent anger on Pinoys
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated that while their government will continue to seek justice for the Taiwanese fisherman shot by Philippine coast guards in disputed waters, it will not vent its anger on Filipinos.
According to a report of The China Post, Ma said the Taiwanese government will ensure the safety of Filipinos in Taiwan and "make sure that their rights and freedoms remain intact."
The row between Taiwan and the Philippines stemmed from the alleged shooting of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, who was suspected of poaching by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on May 9.
Meanwhile, Nene Hallasgo, one of more than 85,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Taiwan, said she has been having sleepless nights after some Taiwanese vented their rage on Filipinos in Taiwan.
According to a report from news site International Business Times (IBT) Hallasgo has been working in Taiwan for seven years.
Earlier reports claimed of violence and harassment against some OFWs, with one Filipino having been ganged up on and beaten up with a bat by a group of young Taiwanese.
Hallasgo fears to suffer the same fate. However, she is also afraid of leaving Taiwan and losing her job.
“First of all, I fear for my job and losing it. I fear that the [political] conflict will get out of hand that I will be forced to come back home in no time,” she told IBT.
She also mentioned her fear about not having her work contract renewed.
“Even if I finish my contract and go home, my even worse fear is not being able to come back to Taiwan to the same job, or even find a new one,” she explained.
She warned that if the Philippine government will not act quickly, her fears and those of other OFWs in Taiwan may eventually become a reality.
“Taiwan Gently Cares”
Amid the fear and tension, the Taiwan's foreign ministry together with Taiwanese groups conducted a solidarity program for OFWS and Taiwanese in Taipei City on Sunday.
The event dubbed “You Are Not Alone” was organized by Taiwanese groups who recognized the contributions of OFWs to Taiwan and wanted to assure them that “Taiwan Gently Cares.”
During the event, OFWs shared their experiences in Taiwan while Taiwanese groups called out to their countrymen not to harm the innocent OFWs.
The event was spearheaded by a Taiwanese company owner who 'felt' the fears of the OFWs in Taiwan.
“This company owner said that there are many Filipino workers in his community whom he observed are afraid to go out after the incident and he felt sad about that,” Yun-Chan Liao, a member of the 4-Way Voice in Taiwan told IBT. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News
According to a report of The China Post, Ma said the Taiwanese government will ensure the safety of Filipinos in Taiwan and "make sure that their rights and freedoms remain intact."
Ma also said the Taiwanese government "will not vent its anger and dissatisfaction on Filipinos in Taiwan," the report added.
The row between Taiwan and the Philippines stemmed from the alleged shooting of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, who was suspected of poaching by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on May 9.
After saying the initial apology of the Philippines for the incident was insincere, the Taiwanese government issued an order freezing the hiring of new Filipino workers.
Taiwan demanded for an apology from the Philippine government, compensation for the family of the slain fisherman, impartial investigation on the incident, and bilateral talks between Taiwan and the Philippines to avoid similar incidents.
Taiwan also recalled its envoy to Manila in protest of the killing.
The death of the fisherman has caused public outrage in Taiwan with some Filipinos bearing the brunt of their anger.
Still afraid
According to a report from news site International Business Times (IBT) Hallasgo has been working in Taiwan for seven years.
Earlier reports claimed of violence and harassment against some OFWs, with one Filipino having been ganged up on and beaten up with a bat by a group of young Taiwanese.
Hallasgo fears to suffer the same fate. However, she is also afraid of leaving Taiwan and losing her job.
“First of all, I fear for my job and losing it. I fear that the [political] conflict will get out of hand that I will be forced to come back home in no time,” she told IBT.
She also mentioned her fear about not having her work contract renewed.
“Even if I finish my contract and go home, my even worse fear is not being able to come back to Taiwan to the same job, or even find a new one,” she explained.
She warned that if the Philippine government will not act quickly, her fears and those of other OFWs in Taiwan may eventually become a reality.
“Taiwan Gently Cares”
Amid the fear and tension, the Taiwan's foreign ministry together with Taiwanese groups conducted a solidarity program for OFWS and Taiwanese in Taipei City on Sunday.
The event dubbed “You Are Not Alone” was organized by Taiwanese groups who recognized the contributions of OFWs to Taiwan and wanted to assure them that “Taiwan Gently Cares.”
During the event, OFWs shared their experiences in Taiwan while Taiwanese groups called out to their countrymen not to harm the innocent OFWs.
The event was spearheaded by a Taiwanese company owner who 'felt' the fears of the OFWs in Taiwan.
“This company owner said that there are many Filipino workers in his community whom he observed are afraid to go out after the incident and he felt sad about that,” Yun-Chan Liao, a member of the 4-Way Voice in Taiwan told IBT. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News
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