MOFA pledges protection for fishing boat crew

2015-05-12

All necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety and rights of a Taiwan fishing boat crew involved in an alleged poaching case in Philippines territorial waters, according to the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and urge the government of the Philippines to continue handling the matter in line with the principles set out in the three fisheries talks between Taipei and Manila from June 2013 to January 2014,” a MOFA official said May 8.

The ministry’s response came after ROC-registered fishing boat Sheng Feng No. 12 was stopped, boarded and impounded May 7 by Philippines government officials while passing through waters near the Batanes island group in the northern part of the Southeast Asian nation.

After the boat was taken to Batanes provincial capital Basco, the six crewmembers were detained for 24 hours before officials from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines secured their release on bail of 90,000 pesos (US$336). Philippines authorities claim the boat is licensed to operate in the Indian Ocean and has no right to be near the Batanes.

According to the MOFA, relevant ROC government authorities were immediately notified by their Philippines counterparts in accordance with protocols set up during the fisheries talks. No force was used during the process of boarding, inspection and detention.

“We are coordinating with the ROC Fisheries Agency and TECO office in Manila,” the MOFA official said. “We urge the Philippines to keep providing updated information so this situation can be resolved ASAP.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230206&ctNode=413)