Philippine Navy denies involvement in Taiwan fisherman's shooting

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy on Friday denied that its personnel shot and killed a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday.

"The PN denies any involvement in, much as it were saddened by, the news about an incident where a Taiwanese fisherman was reportedly shot and the wound led to his death," said Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea issues.

Arevalo said that all vessels of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, which has jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, are in ports in Subic, Zambales or Sual, Pangasinan at the time of the alleged shooting.

"(Per the daily operational report of NFNL chief Commodore Nodolfo Tejada) On 10: 30 p.m. May 9, all Navy vessels under his command are in port or in Subic, Zambales or Sual, Pangasinan," he said.

Arevalo said that the Philippine Navy is now conducting its own investigation on the incident.

Taiwan on Thursday asked an apology from the Philippine government for the shooting of Taiwanese fishing boat "Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28", 170 nautical miles off the southern coast of Taiwan. The slain fisherman was identified as Hung Shih-cheng, 65.

Taiwan has also demanded that the Philippine government order an investigation on the shooting to death of the fisherman.

In Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it deplored the death of the fisherman, and echoed Taiwan's demand that the Philippines investigate the incident.

China regularly tries to make common cause with Taiwan against third parties in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. Taiwan has so far resisted those attempts.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. - with Associated Press