Filipino workers told to limit their activities in Taiwan

Philippine authorities have told Filipino workers to limit their activities in Taiwan following the Philippine Coast Guard's slaying of a Taiwanese fisherman. Violence against Filipinos in Taiwan has escalated since fisherman Hung Shih-chen was killed May 9 in waters off Balintang Island in northern Philippines, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Sunday. The violence has prompted Taiwan to freeze hiring new Filipino workers, the Daily Inquirer reported. President Benigno Aquino apologized for the killing, but the Taiwanese found this unacceptable, the Daily Inquirer said. Antonio Basilio, resident representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) in Taiwan, issued the advisory to thousands of Filipinos as the numbers of attacks rise on some of the 87,000 Filipinos working in Taipei. "Basilio issued an advisory to our countrymen to limit their going out," deputy Philippine presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said. "They should avoid doing the unnecessary things, in other words, to keep within their workplace and their homes." Any Filipino maltreated by a Taiwanese employer should promptly contact Meco so officials can work to ensure they get justice, she said. Meco Chairman Amadeo Perez said the attack on a Filipino by a gang of youths wielding a bat has been confirmed and other cases were being documented. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou asked Taiwanese to act decently toward Filipinos.