MISSION FOR P-NOY IN HIS PRIVATE CAPACITY: MAR ROXAS GOES TO TAIWAN
PHOTO - MAR ROXAS AND NOYNOY AQUINO]
MANILA, FEBRUARY 21, 2011 (MALAYA) Mission from Aquino: Clear, resolve legal issue BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
PRESIDENT Aquino is sending former Senator Manuel Roxas II to Taiwan as "personal emissary" to explain the deportation of 14 Taiwanese to Beijing early this month and ensure continued trade relations.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Roxas is scheduled to leave at 8 a.m. today via Philippine Airlines.
Roxas is traveling to Taiwan in his private capacity,
Lacierda said. Under the law, he is banned from holding a public office until May 10.
Roxas' being sent an as emissary was reportedly relayed by Amadeo Perez, chair of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, to Foreign Minister Timothy C.T. Yang, during a meeting last Friday.
It was also reportedly during that meeting that Perez apologized for the deportation.
The Palace has refused to issue an apology.
An article posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan quoted Perez as telling Yang, "I apologize for this unfortunate incident."
Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the government is verifying reports that Perez apologized. No other reports have made mention of a Perez apology.
Perez was supposedly told by Yang that what transpired was a "disrespectful" act by the Philippine government.
"You have to take Taiwan seriously and positively," Yang reportedly told Perez.
The deportation had dismayed Taiwan which earlier demanded an apology, pulled out of its de facto ambassador to the Philippines, and introduced new and stricter requirements that would lengthen the processing of visas for OFWs.
The Philippines, like most countries, does not formally recognize Taiwan because of the "One-China" policy but still maintains trade and economic relations.
There are some 80,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan, mostly in electronics and in care-giving.
The 14 who were deported on February 2 were part of the 24 who were arrested last December 27 on fraud charges for scams pulled off in mainland China, where they are to be tried. . – With Gerard Naval and Jay Chua
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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