Roxas arrives in Taiwan for 2nd fence-mending mission

Former Sen. Manuel Roxas II arrived in Taiwan Sunday evening for a second try at smoothing Philippine-Taiwan ties following a deportation row last month. Roxas arrived in Taipei and may meet with Taiwan Foreign Minister Timothy Yang Monday morning, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported early Monday. Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Amadeo Perez Jr. also arrived in Taiwan earlier Sunday, the CNA report said. The second Philippine "mission" aims to finally end the row between the Philippines and Taiwan following the Feb. 2 deportation of 14 Taiwanese to Mainland China. In retaliation for the deportation, Taiwan tightened requirements on Filipino workers wishing to work in Taiwan. President Benigno Aquino III sent Roxas to Taiwan last month but refused to offer the apology that Taiwan demanded. But Taiwan appeared to soften its stand after Manila replaced two senior immigration officials - including then immigration chief Ronaldo Ledesma with former Armed Forces chief of staff Ricardo David Jr. Yang had reacted to Manila's goodwill "in action and in words" by announcing recently that Taiwan would loosen some restrictions on Filipinos seeking to work in Taiwan. The Philippine government, however, had said that David's appointment was not meant to appease the Taiwanese government regarding the deportation of 14 Taiwanese nationals to China early this year. — RSJ, GMA News