Source: AP
Taiwan's representative to the Philippines demanded an apology Wednesday after Manila deported 14 Taiwanese nationals to China instead of Taiwan.
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Taiwan's representative to the Philippines demanded an apology Wednesday after Manila deported 14 Taiwanese nationals to China instead of Taiwan.
The move has angered Taipei because it appeared to suggest that China, not Taiwan, has jurisdiction over the deportees. Donald C.T. Lee, the representative, indicated it would have repercussions for Filipinos living in Taiwan.
Taiwan's sovereignty is a sensitive issue on both sides of the Taiwan Strait: Beijing considers the island part of China, while Taipei lobbies for recognition abroad. The Philippines, like most countries, recognizes Beijing but it maintains friendly, if unofficial, relations with Taipei.
The group of 14 Taiwanese were arrested in December along with 10 Chinese. Charges have been filed in China related to an investment scam that defrauded Chinese nationals. They were picked up when an Internet Protocol address was traced to them in the Philippines.
Lee, who is the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, the de-facto Taiwan Embassy in Manila, said his office was not notified of their deportation, which happened on Feb. 2.
He added that Philippine authorities claimed they were being deported for being undocumented aliens, despite the fact that their passports _ with visas _ were confiscated at the time of their arrest.
Lee called the move "a serious mistake" and said his government has recalled him. He said he would return to Manila within a week.
Amadeo Perez, Lee's counterpart from the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, asked for Taiwan's understanding.
Perez said repercussions are already being felt, including Taiwan's decision to extend visa processing for Filipino workers from 14 days to four months.
Taiwan's sovereignty is a sensitive issue on both sides of the Taiwan Strait: Beijing considers the island part of China, while Taipei lobbies for recognition abroad. The Philippines, like most countries, recognizes Beijing but it maintains friendly, if unofficial, relations with Taipei.
The group of 14 Taiwanese were arrested in December along with 10 Chinese. Charges have been filed in China related to an investment scam that defrauded Chinese nationals. They were picked up when an Internet Protocol address was traced to them in the Philippines.
Lee, who is the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, the de-facto Taiwan Embassy in Manila, said his office was not notified of their deportation, which happened on Feb. 2.
He added that Philippine authorities claimed they were being deported for being undocumented aliens, despite the fact that their passports _ with visas _ were confiscated at the time of their arrest.
Lee called the move "a serious mistake" and said his government has recalled him. He said he would return to Manila within a week.
Amadeo Perez, Lee's counterpart from the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, asked for Taiwan's understanding.
Perez said repercussions are already being felt, including Taiwan's decision to extend visa processing for Filipino workers from 14 days to four months.
