'Phl might still use force vs Taiwanese encroachers resisting arrest'

MANILA, Philippines - Local authorities might still use force in apprehending Taiwanese fisherman intruding Philippine waters who would also resort to violence in resisting arrests, an official clarified on Monday.

 

Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Amadeo Perez said that while Taiwan and the Philippines have agreed in principle to avoid using force in resolving fishing disputes, local law enforcers will not discontinue arresting Taiwanese fishermen encroaching territorial boundaries.

 

Perez said the arrests will be done in a manner that force will not be applied except if the Taiwanese intruders resist apprehension.

 

"That (situation) is something extraordinary... If they use force against our law enforcement agencies, then the next alternative is to use force also. But as much as possible, we agreed to forego using force," Perez said in a television interview on Monday morning.

 

The MECO chief said both countries will notify each other if fishermen from either country were caught intruding territorial waters.

 

On Saturday, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the agreement between the two nations not to use force in fishing disputes was reached during the first preparatory meeting on fishery cooperation held in Manila on Friday.

 

Related story: Phl, Taiwan to avoid force in sea disputes

 

It said the agreement was aimed at avoiding a repeat of incidents such as the fatal shooting of 65-year-old fisherman Hung Shih-cheng by the Philippine Coast Guard last May 9.

 

“The two sides will reach concrete results in undertaking fishing disputes to avoid the use of force and violence in the future and to prevent unfortunate incidents from happening again,” the statement said.

 

Perez said the agreement was just preliminary and in principle since a formal accord has yet to be made.

 

"We will be tackling very sensitive issues that's why it will take time before we come out with a formal agreement," the MECO chief concluded.