Taiwan reporter sacked over hoax anti-Filipino story

Newspapers show headlines carrying the story of a Taiwanese fisherman shot by Filipino coastguards, at a library in New Taipei City on May 12, 2013. AFP PHOTO / Mandy CHENG

A reporter in Taiwan has been sacked for fabricating a story about a diner refusing to serve Filipinos amid a diplomatic row over the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman, his company said Wednesday, May 22.

The reporter, identified only by his family name Cheng, wrote on his Facebook page that he "witnessed" a diner owner refusing to sell boxed lunches to two men after discovering that they were Filipinos, according to Lih Pao newspaper.

When Cheng's superior asked to meet the owner to verify the story, the reporter sent an impostor and later admitted that he never saw the incident take place, the newspaper said.

"We apologize to the public. Even though we tried to verify the story, we regrettably could not avoid such a deliberate deceit happening," it said in a statement.

Anti-Manila sentiment has mounted in Taiwan after a 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead earlier this month by Philippine coastguards who claimed his vessel had intruded into their territorial waters.

Taiwan has rejected Manila's claims that the shooting took place in Philippine waters and that the killing was "unintended". President Ma Ying-jeou has described the incident as "cold-blooded murder".

A Taiwanese woman who similarly caused a stir on Facebook earlier this week with a story of a diner refusing to serve Filipinos has also admitted to making it up.

The woman, identified by her family name Tung, claimed that she bought food for a Filipino worker in a restaurant in Taipei on May 15 because the owner refused to serve the Filipino. She was caught out after giving conflicting details of the alleged incident when questioned by those who responded to her post.

"I know I made a very big mistake. I don't know how to face society now," she told reporters.

President Ma has called for calm and promised to protect the 87,000 Philippine nationals living and working on the island after a Filipino worker was attacked last week.

Taiwan has announced a series of economic sanctions against the Philippines, demanding Manila offer a formal government apology and compensation for the fisherman's family, and launch a joint investigation into the incident. -

Rappler.com

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UAE to protest! "Philippines is not the only country that we can bring workers from"

They have the right to make some rules - but in the Philippines: Abdullah

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday fielded a question by a Federal National Council (FNC) member about violation of international laws and norms by some embassies in the UAE by holding direct meetings with private sector organizations and obliging them to obey their instructions and orders.

"The embassies operations are governed by the international law and the Geneva convention which regulates activities of diplomatic missions.

"The UAE is a signatory of the convention and therefore, any activities (by such embassies) should be carried out in coordination with the ministry of foreign affairs. Otherwise, the ministry will summon the ambassador or charge d'affaires to warn them."

Sheikh Abdullah said the Embassy of the Philippines contacted some of the labour supply companies in the country.

"They have the right to make some rules - but in the Philippines. They have absolutely no right to infringe the UAE government's regulations."

Sheikh Abdullah went on to say that any illegal contacts made by the embassies under and pretext are considered as violations and are not acceptable by the ministry of foreign affairs.

"The ministry of foreign affairs is the key point of contact for the embassies wishing to establish communications with any sector in the country."

He urged government and private entities to report any violation by any embassy or foreign diplomats to the ministry.

"The Philippines is not the only country that we can bring workers from. However, the task of any country's mission is to protect interests of its citizens.

"I can see no harm in what the embassy of Philippines is doing if any labour-related matter is supported by contracts."

Asked about the steps taken by the ministry of foreign affairs to secure reciprocal exemption of visa requirement for UAE citizens in 34 countries, Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE was getting positive signals on this.

He added that following the recent visit of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the UK, the government there pledged to consider the issue this year, while contacts with some EU countries were progressing.

In his capacity as Chairman of the National media Council (NMC), Sheikh Abdullah answered a question about misleading advertisements and the steps taken to regulate advertisement.

Sheikh Abdullah said the media in the UAE is governed by the publications law. He added that the NMC has been playing a pivotal role in reflecting the true picture.

"I agree with several points and remarks made by the FNC about the NMC strategy, its role in developing the media sector and in Emiratisation.

"The development of NMC has already begun with the approval by the ministerial commission for services in February of a draft resolution to amend the organisation structure of the council. An advisory board for the council was formed in March."

Sheikh Abdullah said the rate of Emiratisation at the NMC is expected to increase this year to 71 per cent from 61 per cent in 2012. He added that future plans may include creation of a high level media training academy for as part of the Emirtisation efforts in the media sector.

The plans also include improving performance of the Emirates News Agency. He praised the authorities' initiative of inviting local press to cover the sessions of the national security trial.

"This is an unprecedented step that reflects transparency and freedom granted to the local media. You can read the uncensored reports about court proceedings, some of which are even sensitive."

The Federal National Council (FNC) yesterday held its 13th session of the 2nd term of its 15th legislative chapter under the chairmanship of its Speaker Mohamed Ahmed Al Murr.

Present during the session were Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Dr Anwar Mohamed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and for FNC Affairs.

Asked about the national strategy for saving water and energy,the energy minister, who is also chairman of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), said the authority's strategic plan addresses future needs until 2020. He added that the plan defines a 3-phase project to raise capacity.

"The first phase was completed at a total cost of Dh2.7 billion and resulted in a 52 per cent increase in water network and 49 per cent increase in water storage capacity. The second phase will be completed by 2014," he said.

Emirates247

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Philippines approves three new wind farms for 208 megawatts - operational by 2015

The Philippines has approved three wind farm projects that will generate 208 megawatts, enough to power more than 40,000 middle-class homes, an energy official said.

The wind projects will be the first to benefit from an incentive scheme which aims to ensure half the country's energy comes from renewable sources by 2030, compared with about 39 percent currently, the official said.

The three projects are due to be operational by early 2015, said Mario Marasigan, the energy department's renewable energy bureau chief. "We approved their declarations of commerciality. They (guaranteed) to us that they are viable under the rate of 8.53 pesos (20 cents) per kilowatt hour," he said.

Under the incentive scheme, wind companies will get a fixed kilowatt hour rate of 8.53 pesos (20 cents) rather than a fluctuating amount. The provision is part of the 2008 renewable energy law intended to spur investment in sources including geothermal, biomass, solar, hydro and wind.

The largest of the projects is a wind farm to be set up in Burgos town, 320 kilometers north of Manila by Energy Development Corp. — the 87-megawatt project will cost an estimated $300 million, the company said in a statement.

Two other wind projects of 67.5 megawatts and 54 megawatts will also be set up by local firms, Alternergy Wind One Corp. and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., respectively. The two firms declined to disclose how much their projects would cost.

The Philippines already has one 33-megawatt wind power plant in the north, set up in 2005 before the renewable energy law was passed.

as published in Arab news

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