Roxas arrives in Taipei to mend PHL-Taiwan ties

Former Senator Manuel Roxas II arrived in Taiwan on Monday, hoping to smooth out relations Philippine-Taiwan relations after the deportation of 14 Taiwanese citizens. Roxas, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's special envoy to Taiwan, was greeted by officials from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport, a report of Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) said. "The Philippines highly cherishes its longstanding friendly ties with Taiwan and hopes the rift over the deportation incident can be resolved soon," the CNA quoted Roxas as saying. Tension arose between the Philippines and Taiwan after the Philippines deported 14 Taiwanese to Mainland China on February 2. The Taiwanese were suspected members of a fraud ring.

The 14 men were allegedly part of a crime ring that preyed on Chinese nationals. Authorities have said that the syndicate swindled its victims out of NT$600 million (US$20.6 million). After the incident, Taiwan tightened the rules on overseas workers wishing to go to Taiwan, a move that may affect up to 80,000 Filipinos. Despite Taiwan’s discontent, the Philippine government and its Justice Department have stuck to their stance that they did nothing wrong and the decision to deport the men to China was legitimate and in the country’s national interest. The Philippines follows the One-China Policy where it maintains diplomatic ties only with Beijing, but still has trade ties with Taipei. Roxas also said Taiwan and the Philippines have maintained cordial relations over the years because of the geographical proximity of the two countries. Roxas said he will explain in detail to Taiwan's leaders the Philippines' handling of the incident, then brief media on the issue after meeting. Roxas is scheduled to meet with Taiwan Foreign Minister Timothy Yang. Last week, Taiwan's officials said the outcome of Roxas' meeting with Yang will determine if he will meet with President Ma Ying-jeou. "By mentioning those things -- the one-China policy and cross-Taiwan Strait affairs -- the Philippines has unnecessarily touched upon a delicate area that should not be involved," the CNA report quoted Yang as saying. Taiwan premier wants apology On Sunday, Taiwan Premier Wu Den-yih said he wants an apology from the Philippine government through Roxas. Wu made the claim as he hinted Manila and Taipei reached a certain level of “understanding" on the matter before Roxas was dispatched. “Our firm stance is that the Philippine government must apologize for what happened ... Offering an apology is a necessary condition of his visit. No apology means a lack of sincerity," the premier said when asked about Roxas’s visit, according to a report posted early on Monday on CNA. Earlier, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Manila Economic and Cultural Office head has “apologized" for the deportation. In a press release on its website, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said MECO Chairman Amadeo Perez expressed regret and said a special envoy is due to offer an explanation. “I apologize for this unfortunate incident," an article posted on the MOFA website quoted Perez as saying during a meeting with Taiwanese Foreign Minister Timothy C.T. Yang over the matter. The MOFA article said Yang, during the meeting with Perez, questioned the deportation of the 14 Taiwanese to Mainland China, saying it showed “disrespect." “You have to take Taiwan seriously and positively," the MOFA article quoted Yang telling Perez. – VVP/RSJ, GMA News