Category: Taiwan

Taiwan’s Christmas offering: Watch a movie, win a mountain bike

Ellen Leave a comment

Together We CanDo you want to win a mountain bike, a laptop, a 42-inch TV, and a cellphone?

Watch a short film titled “Together We Can” and you may get any one of those items for free.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines is inviting everyone to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines is inviting all Filipinos to participate in a nationwide contest that offers three Taiwan Giant mountain bicycle Talon as prizes for the grand winners.

Aside from the grand prizes TECO said there will be six second prizes (Taiwan Acer Laptop), seven third prizes (Taiwan TECO LED 42-inch TV) and 14 special prizes (Taiwan ASUS FonePad 7 cell phone).

All that the participants have to do is watch “Together We Can” that can be accessed online at www.togetherwecan.tw . Participants are eligible to join the prize draw by checking the official website of TECO (www.taiwanembassy.org/PH) to answer questions.

The contest started last Dec. 11. But there’s plenty of time to join as it will be until noon of Friday, December 19, 2014.

The micro-film is about three friends and colleagues-one from Indonesia, another from Malaysia and the last one from Taiwan-team up to work on a bicycle project.

Challenge: Succeed and they get promoted as well as the chance to impress the boss’ daughter. Fail and they get fired. But will they be able to pull it off?

Watch the movie and answer the questions. For more information, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6JHNE3RL-c.

TECO’s press release said the prize draw will be held in Taiwan on December 22 and the names of the lucky winners will be posted in TECO’s website on December 23, 2014.

Winners of the above four categories are required to receive the prizes in person with valid identification at the presentation of awards, which will take place at TECO (Add: 41/F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines), scheduled at 4 pm, Thursday, January 22, 2015. Winners who fail to attend in person will forfeit their rights and be replaced.

The above-mentioned valid IDs include Passport, Driver’s License, School ID, Birth Certificate issued by National Statistics Office, SSS ID, Voter’s ID, Philhealth ID, PAG-IBIG.

TECO said the contest is to enhance Filipinos’ further understanding of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Relations between the Philippines and Taiwan, which was marred by the shooting and killing by members of the Philippine Coast Guard of a fisherman in the disputed waters of Balintang Channel near Batanes in May 2013, are back to its vigorous level after the Philippine government apologized and gave compensation to the family of the victim. The Coast Guard personnel involved have been charged in court.

Amb. Gary Song Huann Lin at the Voices of Taiwan Sing to the World concert.

Amb. Gary Song Huann Lin at the Voices of Taiwan Sing to the World concert.

The new TECO head, Ambassador Gary Cong-Huann Lin, said relations between Taiwan and the Philippines would get additional boost if a fishing agreement is signed.

China is opposing any official agreement with Taiwan (The Philippines has a One-China policy, meaning it recognizes the People’s Republic of China with its capital in Beijing as the government representing the Chinese people. China considers Taiwan its province.)

The Philippines maintains a people-to-people relations with Taiwan represented by the Manila Economic Cooperation office in Taipei and TECO in Manila.

Both TECO and MECO officials are confident the obstacles to the fishing agreement can be hurdled. What they have agreed and is being practiced now is not to use force in case of either Filipino or Taiwanese fishermen ventures into the disputed waters.
***
The most awaited number in all Christmas parties is the raffle contest. But not all raffle contests are legitimate.

The other day I got this text from Mobile number 6392-6603-1259: Ma’am/Sir Congrats! Ur Sim# Had won 2nd prize winner worth of Php 780,000.00) Thru Electronic Raffle Draw :Handog Pangkabuhayan” frm President:BENIGNO C. AQUINO” To claim ur prize Pls call me now. I’m JESSIE M MORALES frm:BSP INFO DPT.per DTI#10152 s’14.
Ignore when you get this message. It’s a scam. Beware.

Lessons from Taiwan incident: minimize inflammatory remarks

Ellen Leave a comment

Update:
Taiwanese Foreign Minister David Lin just announced the lifting of the ban on hiring of Filipino workers for Taiwan, MECO Representative Antonio Basilio said.

Filipino workers in Taiwan

Filipino workers in Taiwan

One lesson from the unfortunate May 9 incident in Balintang Channel that led to a strain in the otherwise robust relations with Taiwan is for government spokespersons to be careful with their statements.

They should learn to moderate their arrogance and avoid words that inflame the public. There’s no room for uncalled- for side remarks in a tense situation with another country. This is particularly true with Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

There was one press briefing when Lacierda was asked about remarks by commentators that Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou was using the Balintang channel shooting to beef up his dwindling popularity. Lacierda noted the commentators’ analysis of the situation in Taiwan then. But he did not stop there. He added something like, “What I know is that our President is enjoying high popularity.”

What has Aquino’s popularity got to do with the tense situation between Manila and Taipei at that time?
Government spokesperson should take lessons from diplomats on how to deal with other countries especially when human lives have been lost.

Another important lesson is to educate PCG personnel, as well as that of other agencies including members of the military, on the issues on maritime boundaries. They should take to heart the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

A mistake like what happened in Balintang Channel can cause more problems that involve other lives and the country’s economy.As a result of the killing of 65-year old fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, Taiwan suspended the hiring of workers from the Philippines. Every OFW has at least six members of the family dependent on his or her earnings.

A travel alert issued by Taipei resulted in the reduction of tourists from Taiwan which adversely affected tourism- related businesses.

The release Wednesday by the National Bureau of Investigation of the results of their investigation has started the process of normalizing relations with Taiwan.

NBI recommended the filing of homicide charges against commanding officer Arnold de la Cruz, Petty Officer 2 Richard Fernandez Corpuz, Seaman 2nd Class Nicky Reynold Aurello, and Seamen 1st Class Edrando Quiapo Aguila, Mhelvin Bendo, Andy Gibb Ronario Golfo, Sunny Galang Masangcay, and Henry Baco Solomon.

De la Cruz and Bendo are also facing charges of obstruction of justice along with SN1 Marvin Ramirez and LTJG Martin Bernabe for tampering with evidence to the NBI, including “spliced” video footage.

Yesterday, Manila Economic and Cultural Office chairman Amadeo Perez flew to Taiwan to convey the President’s apology to the family of Hung. The apology was the one that was supposed to have been delivered by Perez last May 15 but was not done because of high emotions at that time.

After an early evening meeting with Foreign Minister David Lin, Manila Economic and Cultural Office Representative Antonio Basilio said Lin announced the lifting of sanctions.

It is hoped that lessons learned from this unfortunate incident will make Philippine-Taiwan relations deeper and richer.

Related links:

The Balintang Channel Incident report by the NBI:http://www.gov.ph/2013/08/07/balintang-channel-incident-report/

Key to normalization of PH-Taiwan relations: release of probe report

Ellen Leave a comment

Rage in Taiwan.

Rage in Taiwan.

Is President Aquino going to announce at his fourth State of the Nation address what he is going to do with the investigation report of the National Bureau of Investigation on the May 9, 2013 incident in Balintang Channel where a member of the Philippine Coast Guard shot and killed a Taiwanese fisherman?
Protest vs Taiwan.

Protest vs Taiwan.

The NBI report, submitted to Aquino June 11, recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the Coast Guard personnel, whose action caused serious diplomatic, political and economic problems for the country.

Although it has not been officially released, leaks to media, which were not denied by the NBI, revealed that the killing of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, 65, was unwarranted.

Taiwanese President Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeo, under pressure from an outraged constituency, made four demands from the Philippine government: formal apology, investigate the shooting and punish the guilty, compensation, and fisheries agreement.

Taiwanese meanwhile imposed sanctions: a freeze in the hiring of Filipino workers and a travel alert.

The sanctions translate to a loss of millions, even billions, of pesos. In meant thousands of Filipinos remaining jobless because some 2,500 job applications are processed by Taiwan from Filipino applicants monthly. Those new hires join the more than 100,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan.

The travel alert dissuaded Taiwanese, who comprise the fifth largest tourist groups in the Philippines, from coming to the Philippines. Instead of Boracay, Palawan and Cebu, they went to Thailand.

President Aquino complied with the formal apology and Taiwan recognized it. The Taiwanese, however, took exception to the phrase “unintended loss of life” in Aquino’s apology.

The key to the compliance of the four demands and the normalization of Philippine-Taiwan relations is the release of the investigation reports of both parties. It was agreed by both Taiwan and the Philippines that immediately after the Philippines releases the NBI report, Taiwan will also release theirs.

The probe reports will clarify if the shooting was really “unintended”, as Aquino claimed.

The findings will be the basis of legal actions that the family of Hung would take. That would also determine the next steps to take with the Coast Guard personnel involved. They have been suspended and their status is in limbo.

The release of the findings will crew, which are now in limbo, will also help in determining the compensation for the victim.

The agreement of the Philippines to a PH-Taiwan accord is a major victory for Taiwan, because under the One-China policy that the country has adopted, relations with Taiwan, which is considered by China as its province, should be limited to people-to-people relations. China has, in fact, protested the planned accord.

At the initial meeting on the fisheries agreement held in Manila last month, both sides agreed not to use armed force against civilian vessels; share maritime law enforcement procedures; establish means for notifying each other without delay whenever there are arrests; prompt release of detained fishing vessels and their crews as provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

There is no schedule of the next meeting pending the release of the probe results.

Meanwhile, processing of job applications of Filipino workers are also on hold.

Related articles:

Taiwan’s One Sanction Against The Philippines That Really Hurts

Key to normalization of PH-Taiwan relations: release of probe report

Ellen Leave a comment

Rage in Taiwan.

Rage in Taiwan.

Is President Aquino going to announce at his fourth State of the Nation address what he is going to do with the investigation report of the National Bureau of Investigation on the May 9, 2013 incident in Balintang Channel where a member of the Philippine Coast Guard shot and killed a Taiwanese fisherman?
Protest vs Taiwan.

Protest vs Taiwan.

The NBI report, submitted to Aquino June 11, recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the Coast Guard personnel, whose action caused serious diplomatic, political and economic problems for the country.

Although it has not been officially released, leaks to media, which were not denied by the NBI, revealed that the killing of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, 65, was unwarranted.

Sources said testimonies of personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources belied the claim of PCG that the 15-ton fiberglass made fishing vessel was ramming the 110-ton BFAR owned vessel, to justify the shooting of the fishing boat.

Taiwanese President Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeo, under pressure from an outraged constituency, made four demands from the Philippine government: formal apology, investigate the shooting and punish the guilty, compensation, and fisheries agreement.

Taiwanese meanwhile imposed sanctions: a freeze in the hiring of Filipino workers and a travel alert.

The sanctions translate to a loss of millions, even billions, of pesos. It means thousands of Filipinos remaining jobless because some 2,500 job applications are processed by Taiwan from Filipino applicants monthly. Those new hires join the more than 100,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan.

The travel alert dissuaded Taiwanese, who comprise the fifth largest tourist groups in the Philippines, from coming to the Philippines. Instead of Boracay, Palawan and Cebu, they went to Thailand.

President Aquino complied with the formal apology and Taiwan recognized it. The Taiwanese, however, took exception to the phrase “unintended loss of life” in Aquino’s apology.

The key to the compliance of the four demands and the normalization of Philippine-Taiwan relations is the release of the investigation reports of both parties. It was agreed by both Taiwan and the Philippines that immediately after the Philippines releases the NBI report, Taiwan will also release theirs.

The probe reports will clarify if the shooting was really “unintended”, as Aquino claimed.

The findings will be the basis of legal actions that the family of Hung would take. That would also determine the next steps to take with the Coast Guard personnel involved. They have been suspended and their status is in limbo.

The release of the findings will also help in determining the compensation for the victim.

The agreement of the Philippines to a PH-Taiwan accord is a major victory for Taiwan, because under the One-China policy that the country has adopted, relations with Taiwan, which is considered by China as its province, should be limited to people-to-people relations. China has, in fact, protested the planned accord.

At the initial meeting on the fisheries agreement held in Manila last month, both sides agreed not to use armed force against civilian vessels; share maritime law enforcement procedures; establish means for notifying each other without delay whenever there are arrests; prompt release of detained fishing vessels and their crews as provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

There is no schedule of the next meeting pending the release of the probe results.

Meanwhile, processing of job applications of Filipino workers are also on hold.

Related articles:

Taiwan’s One Sanction Against The Philippines That Really Hurts

NBI report on Taiwan incident by Roberto R. Romulo.

Take Taiwan for what it is

Ellen Leave a comment

By Lauro Baja Jr., VERA Files

Site of incidentIt is difficult to develop a pattern of action for the incident in Balintang Chanel which happened a month ago. We know what Taiwan wants but we are still at sea on how we have responded and/ or how we will further respond.

Taiwan is a province (read: surrogate) of China. It is also an ally (read: vassal) of the United Sates and has the support of the powerful China lobby in Washington. The media carry reports of statements of US House members supporting Taiwan.

The Philippines has substantial trade and investment relations with the “system” and thousands of Filipinos work in the island. This arrangement redounds to the mutual benefits of both and is governed by our so-called One-China policy.

This policy has not been clearly defined. In practice, what happened are rules against top leaders of the Philippines – President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of National Defense – visiting Taiwan and top Taiwanese leaders not granted permission to visit or transit the Philippines. Other “diplomatic” contacts are also proscribed.

There is need to examine this One- China policy in the light of actions and words of Taiwan over the Balintang Channel incident and by China in the West Philippine Sea. This “strategy” limits our actions and options to act for our national interests amidst shifting geopolitical developments in the region.

The parallel investigations by the Philippine and Taiwanese teams may not result in definitive conclusions. The priority for both sides is not to exacerbate further the already tense standoff.

The Philippines must seize control of the situation and prevent further erosion of our respect and credibility in the international community. If the incident is an act of self-defense in our territorial waters or even in our exclusive economic zone, the Philippines was exercising hot pursuit, a doctrine recognized and accepted in international law.

Article III of UNCLOS grants the coastal state the right to pursue and arrest ships escaping to international waters as long as: 1) the pursuers are competent authorities of the state; 2) they have good reasons to believe that the pursued ships has violated the state’s laws or regulations; 3) the pursuit begins while in the state’s international waters or territorial waters; 4) the pursuit is continuous. If the foreign ship is within the contiguous zone, the EEZ, the continental shelf, then the pursuit may only be undertaken if there has been a violation of the rules and regulations, e.g. customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary rules and regulations of the coastal state.

The right is particularly relevant to fisheries management, maritime pollution laws, and seaborne illegal trade. Hot pursuit might cease as soon as the ship pursued enters the territorial waters of its own state or of a third state.

It is reasonable to assume that Taiwan is taking advantage of the situation and using it as a means to upgrade political relations with the Philippines and goad us to enter into fishery talks. In the meantime, our nationals in Taiwan and our foreign policy are held hostage pending resolution of the issue.

The challenge for Philippine diplomacy is to craft a clear and coherent policy and approach the problem in the context of what Taiwan is and what it covets.

(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)

(The author is a veteran Philippine diplomat. He was the Philippine Permament Representative to the United Nations (May 2003- Feb.2007). Prior to that, he was Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy.)