Taiwan wants Phl to release results of probe on killing of fisherman

MANILA, Philippines - Taiwan wants the Philippines to release “appropriate” and “positive” results of the investigation into the shooting of a suspected Taiwanese poacher in Balintang Channel in Batanes last May 9 before the hiring of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) resumes.

At Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino would decide on the release of the report after review.

“We will release the results of the report as our investigators evaluate the evidence,” he said. “It will not be subject to any conditions.” 

Speaking to reporters in Makati, Andrew Tung-Heng Lin, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Political Division director, said they are awaiting the response from the Philippines.

“If the sanction (against PCG crew) is positive, we will lift the sanction (against the Philippines),” he said.

Lin urged President Aquino to expedite the resolution on the shooting incident.

“I understand that your government is cautious, but we cannot wait longer,” he said.

The Philippines must reveal the findings to the public and file appropriate charges against the perpetrators, he added.

Lacierda said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had gone through an exhaustive probe and the government would release the report based on “how they view the situation.” 

“It will not be subject to any pressure. (Justice) Secretary Leila de Lima stated this,” he said.

Lin said Taiwan has stopped issuing work permits to Filipino workers since May 15. “We fully sympathize their current situation, why they should face these difficulties,” he said.

To date, 10,000 OFWs have not been able to renew their work permits, and 6,000 are still seeking approval of their visas, he added.

Lin said 70,000 Filipino workers are currently in Taiwan and their contracts end every three months.

Around 3,000 Filipino workers renew their contracts every month, he added.

Taiwan might seek workers from other neighboring countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia to fill job openings, he said.

Lacierda told reporters the government would look for alternative countries where the 16,000 overseas Filipino workers affected could find employment.

Lin said the situation has also taken its toll on the tourism industry of Taiwan and the Philippines.

A 50-percent drop in the number of Taiwanese tourists in the Philippines has occurred since the shooting, he added. 

Lin said some airline companies with flights between Manila and Taipei have been complaining of a decline of passengers. A total of 40 chartered flights have already been cancelled, translating to about P200-million losses in revenues, he added. 

Jobs for returning OFWs

Over 120,000 overseas and local jobs await returning Filipino workers from Taiwan and other countries, the government said yesterday.

Among the vacancies are plant and machine operators and assemblers, factory workers, engineers, technicians and machinists.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said employment opportunities are open in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

“Those who are already here in the Philippines and those whose contracts are expiring and may not be able to go back to Taiwan can apply for the 129,180 available job vacancies as posted in the PhilJobNet, the official online job search and matching portal of the government,” she said.

Baldoz said displaced workers may also look for jobs in the business process outsourcing sector as call center agents, technical support staff, and customer service assistants.  “Those who have low skills may also apply for skills training/upgrading in TESDA-accredited training providers,” she said.   

However, Baldoz said the best option for returning workers is to stay home and engage in business.             

Returning workers may avail of the government’s entrepreneurial development assistance under the National Reintegration Program for OFWs, she added.

Baldoz said the program provides capability-building as well as business capital loans of P300,000 to P2 million.    

The loan carries an interest of only 7.5 percent per year and has a repayment term of five years extendible to seven years, she added.            

OFWs may invest their hard-earned savings in agribusiness, a priority area under the reintegration program partnership between the DOLE and the Department of Agriculture, Baldoz said.  – With Mayen Jaymalin, Jess Diaz