MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima believes China and Taiwan must settle between themselves the issue of the 14 Taiwanese deported to the mainland.
Speaking to reporters, De Lima said the Philippines should just work on mitigating the repercussions in terms of diplomatic and economic relations with Taiwan.
“As far as custody and prosecution (of deported Taiwanese) are concerned, the Philippines is not part of that so they (China and Taiwan) should settle it among themselves,” she said.
De Lima said agreements between China and Taiwan cover joint crime-fighting and judicial mutual assistance.
Under a framework forged in 2009, major economic criminals should be repatriated as soon as possible, she added.
“That agreement precisely provides for a venue for them to discuss this issue of custody and treatment of the deported Taiwanese as far as prosecution is concerned,” she said.
De Lima said the government’s concern now is how to appease Taiwan, which has started to retaliate through Filipino workers.
“The government should take steps through diplomatic channels – perhaps including possibility of sending an emissary – to mitigate the effects,” she said.
“We can also tap our MECO to handle the situation.”
De Lima said Taiwan must be made to understand that the
deportation was done primarily “in our national interest.”
“We have to protect our people from activities of these undesirable aliens who have been making our country their haven,” she said.
The government would also comply with the order of the Court of Appeals to explain why it proceeded with the deportation while the habeas corpus petition of the Taiwanese was being heard, De Lima said.
Taiwan envoy flies home
The head of Taiwan’s mission in Manila flew home on a China Airlines flight at 10:30 a.m. yesterday.
Donald Lee was seen off by officials of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), Taiwan’s unofficial embassy in Manila, at the dignitary’s lounge of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Lee read The STAR issue yesterday, which carried the story “Palace defends deportation of Taiwanese to China.” while waiting for his flight.
TECO spokesman Wellington Wei said that they are glad that Malacañang has announced a special envoy will be sent to Taipei.
Lee did not say anything regarding his recall.
Earlier, he said the Philippines has intervened in Taiwan Strait affairs when the 14 Taiwanese were deported to China.
“We understand that it is purely a political policy, and not a law of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.
Meantime, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said upon arrival from Brussels that she does not understand the political issue involved in the row with Taiwan.
“I don’t know what is happening to the talks/ negotiations and if we have problem in this, first to be affected is our overseas workers, but normally we have to pass through political agencies like (Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the de facto Philippine embassy in Taipei) and coordinate the move that they are doing to address the issue,” she said.
Binay: OFWs affected by row
Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday OFWs are caught in the middle of the government’s dispute with Taiwan.
“It’s saddening because thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are in the middle of this row,” he said.
The presidential adviser on OFW concerns said the Philippines has readied a contingency plan in case OFWs in Taiwan are deported, but he said “I still believe that it would be settled.” — With Rudy Santos, Jose Rodel Clapano