BEIJING -- Hundreds of fishermen in Taiwan gathered outside the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei on Monday to protest against last week?s fatal shooting.
Burning Philippine flags and throwing eggs at the building, the demonstrators demanded that Manila apologise for Thursday?s incident, and compensate the victim?s family. The Taiwan?s Fishermen?s Association has called on local authorities to take all possible measures to ensure its members' fishing rights.
For a long time our fishermen have been oppressed by Philippine authorities. They have been kidnapped and forced to pay ransom or been killed. Today Taiwan fishermen cannot contain their anger any more. They are here to demand justice for the dead fisherman who was shot dead by the Philippine coast guard."
Lin Chi-Chang, Secretary-General of Taiwan Fishermen?s Association, said, ?We were carrying out legal and normal fishing operations, but we were treated like this. We really hope the authorities will toughen up, and allow us to exercise our fishing rights.?
