Taiwan demands probe on shooting of fisherman by PHL Coast Guard



Following the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in disputed watersThursday, Taiwan on Friday called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou also criticized the Philippine Coast Guard for using force against Taiwan's fishermen. 

"No country should use force against an unarmed fishing boat. Foreign officials can at most board a fishing ship for inspection," Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) quoted Ma as saying. (http://focustaiwan.tw/news/afav/201305100014.aspx).

Killed in the shooting was fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, 65.

Earlier on Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard said its personnel fired on the Taiwanese fishing vessel supposedly because it appeared to intend to ram its ship.

Philippine authorities have started an investigation into the incident.

"No country is entitled to enforce the law to an overdue extent, much less use force against a civilian vessel," Ma said as he branded such moves as "uncivilized acts."

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also asked the Philippine government to punish the officials involved in the "attack" and pay due compensation.

It also urged the Philippines to ensure that the tragedy will not be repeated.

"We demand that the Philippines to pursue the incident to the end, and we will not stop our pursuit until the issue is appropriately resolved," Ma said.

The CNA report quoted Coast Guard Authority Deputy Minister Cheng Chang-hsiung as saying the "Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28" had 32 bullet holes after the encounter.

CNA said the fishing boat had four crew members on board, including Hung, when it was "attacked" some 164 nautical miles southeast of Taiwan's southernmost tip at around 10 a.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office condemned the reported fatal shooting incident.

Agency spokesman Yang Yi called the shooting "barbaric" and said China demands the Philippines investigate the incident thoroughly and swiftly, China's Xinhua agency said.(http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-05/09/c_124689353.htm).
 
--Kakammpi

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