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May 21, 2013

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Philippines rejects joint probe but offers 'coordinated efforts'

Source: AFP | May 21, 2013, Tuesday | Print Edition

THE Philippines said yesterday that it would make "coordinated efforts" with Taiwan to look into the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman but stopped short of a joint investigation.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the two investigating groups would not conduct a joint probe into the shooting of the fisherman by the Philippine coast guard, despite repeated calls from Taiwan to do so.

Instead, she said investigators from both sides would help each other in separately looking into the incident.

"There will be coordinated efforts or collaborations between the two teams from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and Taiwanese investigators in the spirit of cooperation," she told reporters. She said members of the NBI met with Taiwanese investigators yesterday regarding their cooperation, describing the meeting as a "cordial discussion."

The two teams are looking into the May 9 incident when a Philippine coast guard vessel fired upon a Taiwanese fishing boat, killing Hung Shih-cheng, a 65-year-old crewman.

Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou has called the killing "cold-blooded murder" while the coast guard said the fishing boat intruded into Philippine waters. Taiwan denied any intrusion, citing voyage data recorded on the fishing boat.

De Lima said an NBI team would fly to Taiwan to examine the fishing boat and interview survivors while the Taiwanese investigators would be given access to their evidence, including statements from the coast guard members.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has personally apologized for the incident but Taiwan has rejected his apology and introduced sanctions on the Philippines.

The measures include a ban on the hiring of new workers, recalling its representative to Manila and staging a naval drill in waters off the northern Philippines.

Taipei has repeatedly pressed Manila to issue a formal government apology, to compensate the fisherman's family and to apprehend the killer.


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