Taiwan recalls envoy to PHL over 14 deportees

(Updated 10:32 p.m.) Taipei is recalling its de facto ambassador to the Philippines following the “inhumane" deportation of Taiwanese citizens to the People’s Republic of China, saying that the “unpleasant incident" may impact negatively on some 80,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan. Special representative Donald C.T. Lee of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) also demanded an apology from the Aquino administration for deporting 14 Taiwanese to mainland China instead of Taiwan, amid protests from Lee and the Taiwanese’s lawyers. “I strongly believe that the Philippines owes the Republic of China (Taiwan) an apology for the said unfortunate event," Lee said in a statement read Wednesday at a press briefing at TECO in RCBC Makati. “The Philippines must show goodwill and exert extra efforts to repair the good relations between our two countries, which has been damaged by the very unpleasant incident. A mechanism on mutual judicial assistance between Taiwan and the Philippines should be established as soon as possible," he added. Upon Beijing’s request, the National Bureau of Investigation on Dec. 27 arrested on charges of fraud 24 foreigners, of which 14 turned out to be from Taiwan and 10 from China. They were consequently deported to mainland China on Feb. 2, despite attempts by TECO officials and lawyers — who maintained that the 14 were Taiwanese citizens — to have them shipped to Taiwan. Barred by BI officials Brandishing a writ of habeas corpus issued by the Court of Appeals, Lee said they tried to stop the Bureau of Immigration (BI) from deporting the Taiwanese to mainland China, but were supposedly barred by BI officials. “I will be recalled. I will leave (the Philippines) within this week temporarily… (But) if the Philippines and Taiwan made up, then I will come back," Lee said. During the briefing, Lee said Philippine authorities cannot claim they thought that the 14 were Chinese nationals, as they were holders of Taiwanese passports with tourist visas issued by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei. “The deportation itself proceeded secretly at midnight, which shows no due respect to the government of the Republic of China," Lee maintained “This deportation is very inhumane, unfair and null and void to the 14 Taiwanese nationals, and it gravely impairs our trust in the Philippine government, as well as betrays the long-lasting friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines," he added. On that note, Lee criticized the Philippine government for boasting of being a free democracy when it violated its own laws and denied the 14 Taiwanese their human rights. “[H]ow can the Philippine government expect Taiwan to provide the deserved legal rights and protection to the 80,000 OFWs in Taiwan?" he added. One-China policy The Taiwanese representative also slammed Manila’s decision to deport all 24 foreigners to China in deference to the One-China policy, or the keeping of diplomatic relations with only one of the two governments claiming to be the "legitimate China." “Foreign policy should be anchored on national laws to pursue national interests. In this situation, it is the Republic of China that exercises jurisdiction in Taiwan and not the People’s Republic of China," he said. According to the Taiwanese envoy, Filipinos who go to Taiwan apply for visas through TECO and not at the Chinese Embassy. “Thus, when a deportation issue arises about a Filipino residing in Taiwan, my counterpart in Taiwan should contact the Government of the Republic of China for consultation," he said. In GMA News’ “24 Oras" newscast, however, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda maintained all the 24 arrested foreigners were Chinese nationals. “Based on the records we have, they appear to be Chinese nationals," Lacierda said. “Also, it was a request from the People’s Republic of China and we did not receive any request from Taiwan," he added. For its part, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), TECO’s counterpart, said it is doing its best to ease the tension between the Philippines and Taiwan created by this supposed blunder. “We are exerting all efforts to placate the Taiwanese officials and the Taiwan government," said MECO chair Amadeo Perez Jr. OFWs to bear dispute’s brunt Taipei warned it will enforce strict visa regulations for Filipinos and will "re-examine" its relations with Manila, including cooperation projects. The Pilipino Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan (PILMAT) confirmed in GMA News’ “24 Oras" newscast that the screening process for OFWs applying for jobs in Taiwan has become lengthier. Securing an employment visa for Taiwan used to take just one week. It will now take as long as four months, PILMAT said. There are some 80,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan, most of them working in electronics factories, while some 20,000 are caregivers earning about P30,000 a month. In 1949 after mainland China fell to the Communist-led People's Liberation Army in a long-standing civil war, the Kuomintang fled to what was then known as the island of Formosa (Taiwan) and there established a government in exile. The Taiwan-based Republic of China continued to claim sovereignty over mainland China until the 1970s, when the People's Republic of China steadily won recognition in the international community. The Philippines and the other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations do not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. — With Jerrie Abella/VS/JV, GMA News