AFTER months of strained relations, the Philippines and Taiwan have settled their differences — letting diplomacy prevail.
Tensions rose on May 9, when a standoff ignited between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and a Taiwanese fishing vessel, boarded by alleged poachers, in waters where the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of both countries overlap.
The incident led to the death of a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman, after being gunned down by the PCG.
After a joint probe with Taiwanese prosecutors on the high seas chase, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended homicide charges against eight PCG personnel. NBI director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas said the maritime agency failed to justify their self-defense claim and violated their rules of engagement.
“There was no conclusive justification for the use of deadly force against the fishing boat. The investigative agency found that, insofar as the video footages of the incident are concerned, there is no categorical proof that the fishing boat posed an imminent or grave threat to the lives of those on-board the Philippine patrol craft,” Rojas said last week.
Following the results of the join probe, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman Amadeo Perez flew to Taiwan to formally convey a formal apology to the family of fisherman Hung Shih-cheng.
On behalf of President Benigno Aquino, Perez also reached a settlement on compensation for the victim’s family.
“The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official title) announces that the sanction against the Philippines is removed immediately after the Filipino side has displayed apology and goodwill in written statements and action,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry in response to the Philippine government yielding to its demands.
In return, the Taiwanese government accepted its counterpart’s apology and removed sanctions against the Philippines, including the freeze hiring of Filipino workers and issuance of travel alert to discourage Taiwanese nationals from visiting the country.
Other punitive measures imposed by the Taiwanese government were also lifted.
After sailing through rough waters, the Philippines and Taiwan are now expected to move forward and improve bilateral exchanges.
“Hopefully this recent development will contribute to the resolution of the issue and then will return relations to normal,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
MECO resident representative in Taiwan, Antonio Basilio is back in his post, while his counterpart, Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Representative to Manila Raymond Wang arrived in the country to resume his duties.
To further stabilize their diplomatic relationship, the two governments will also push through with the fisheries pact that began its meeting in June. Sharing maritime resources and establishing guidelines in disputed waters are expected to be on the next meeting’s agenda.
If the proposed fisheries pact will be deemed favorable and beneficial by both parties, the result could be a precedent in conflict resolution — especially with the two countries embroiled in the dispute over Spratlys Islands, which also include other nations such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
When a conflict is defused, peace and progress will ensue. Diplomacy is an old art.
But today’s challenges give an opening to effective means of resolving crises. It can never happen over night, but through a pragmatic approach, the adverse effects of international conflict would be be reduced.
(AJPress)
