Filipino Workers in Taiwan Advised to Lessen Activities

Philippine authorities has advised thousands of Filipino workers to lessen exposure and outdoor activities in Taiwan due to the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

According to reports, Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson said that the the Philippines’ de facto ambassador to Taipei and the resident representative of the  Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco), Antonio Basilio, was the one who issued the advisory to the Filipinos.

Valte elaborated in her statement that Filipinos should just keep their movements within workplaces and necessary appointments.

This move of the government is in the aim of protecting the Filipinos in Taiwan for a possible violent backlash from the Taiwanese people.

According to Malacañang on Sunday, at least 87, 000 Filipinos are currently employed in Taipei.

Any maltreated Filipino that is based in Taiwan can contact the Meco for assistance in case of violent attack from their employers.

In a report, the Meco Chairman Amadeo Perez said that there are already confirmed cases of attack  on some of the Filipinos in Taiwan.

Hung Shih-chen, a Taiwanese fisherman was shot by the Philippine Coast Guard due to an alleged  ramming of their ship in disputed waters off the coast of Batanes in Far-Northern Luzon. It started the outrage in Taiwan and freezing of Filipino hiring.

President Benigno Aquino already extended its apology to the country for the “unfortunate” incident.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has advised Taiwanese to keep calm and act decently toward the Filipinos.

Sources: gmanetwork.com, inquirer.net