Palace denies Taiwan imposed conditions for NBI probe

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang denied yesterday reports that Taiwan has imposed conditions on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s parallel investigation on the Philippine Coast Guard’s killing of a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes last May 9.

Speaking over state-run dzRB radio, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said: “Secretary (Leila) de Lima told me there were no new conditions. She had also informed me that they are just firming up several details of the visit by both sides. But at this point, we cannot yet disclose the agreed arrangement. There are no new conditions demanded, although there are certain details that still need to be firmed up.”

In a text message, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima also denied a report that the mission has been put on hold due to new demands of Taipei.

“There are no new demands from Taiwan,” she said.

Last week, NBI officials discussed a “parallel investigation” with a Taiwanese delegation led by international and cross-strait department legal affairs director Chen Wen-chi.

De Lima has agreed to allow visiting Taiwanese investigators to see a video showing the shooting incident that the Philippine Coast Guard had submitted to the NBI.

Chairman Amadeo Perez of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office assisted Taiwanese prosecutors and investigators during a closed-door meeting at the Department of Justice.

Under the agreement, the Taiwanese can look into the evidence gathered, including statements of coastguardsmen, who shot dead 65-year-old Hung Shih-chen, and the ballistic report on firearms used.

In turn, NBI agents would fly to Taipei to examine the fishing vessel and to interview the companions of the victim.

The NBI agents will fly to Taipei today.

Their mission is to examine the fishing vessel where Philippine Coastguardsmen had shot Hung, interview his last companions and seek re-autopsy of his body.

– With Edu Punay