Palace confident explanation can ease up PHL-Taiwan row

Malacañang expressed confidence on Saturday that an explanation from a Philippine envoy to be sent to Taiwan will be enough to ease a brewing row that may affect some 80,000 Filipino workers there. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the emissary will explain the Philippine government’s actions in deporting 14 arrested Taiwanese men to Mainland China. “As far as the welfare of our Filipino workers in Taiwan is concerned, we remain confident the row will not affect them. We are just waiting for the emissary to go there and make the needed clarifications," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. But she said that as of Saturday, she has yet to be informed who the emissary will be, or how the Philippines will explain its position to Taiwan. The row between the Philippines and Taiwan stemmed from the arrest last Dec. 27 of 24 foreigners, including 14 Taiwanese, on charges of fraud. Despite attempts by Taiwan officials and lawyers who maintained that the 14 were Taiwanese citizens and should be brought to Taiwan, all 24 were deported to Mainland China last Feb. 2. While the Philippines follows the One-China Policy and maintains diplomatic ties with Beijing, it also maintains economic ties with Taipei. Earlier this week, Taiwan recalled its de facto ambassador to the Philippines Donald Lee following what it considered “inhumane" deportation of its “citizens" to Mainland China. Taiwan also “extended" the screening process for workers from 12 days to four months, and withdrew a “privilege" where Filipinos with visas to the United States, Japan and European Union member countries need not apply for a visa in going to Taiwan. Valte said the Philippine government will take mitigating measures to address the issue. — LBG, GMA News