MANILA, Philippines - Influential Taiwanese businessmen have been helping to lift economic sanctions imposed by Taiwan on the Philippines, an official of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office said on Tuesday.
MECO chairperson Amadeo Perez said several Taiwanese businessmen are trying to intervene to cushion the economic sanctions their government imposed on the Philippines over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman.
"The owners of the factories, mga businessmen who have influence on their government...are appealing to the Taiwanese goverment to resolve the problem," Perez said in a radio interview.
Perez added that these Taiwanese businessmen who feel that the sanctions are also hurting their industries.
"Gusto nilang tumulong kasi nakikita nila ang sitwasyon," he said, adding that most of the skilled workers employed in their businesses are mostly Filipinos.
Perez also reported that MECO has continuously communicated with its counterpart in Taiwan in an effort to resolve the issue even when they were recalled from their posts.
He said the situation in Taiwan where many Filipinos reside and work has calmed down since the news of a Taiwanes fisherman was killed off the waters near Batanes.
"Kumalma na dahil we made an official complaint...umakto naman gobryerno nila...because we have not cut communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Perez said.