The funeral for Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成), who was killed by Philippine Coast Guard personnel last month, was held yesterday morning on Siaoliouciou Island (小琉球), Pingtung County.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and other officials offered their condolences to the family.
Hung’s daughter, Hung Tzu-chien (洪慈綪), thanked Ma, the government and the public for speaking up for Hung, and urged the government to take steps to protect the rights of fishermen.
Photo: CNA
Her father should be the last fisherman sacrificed and Taiwanese fishermen should be able to fish safely without fear, she said.
The 65-year-old was killed when the fishing boat he was on was strafed by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in overlapping waters of the two countries’ exclusive economic zones on May 9.
The incident triggered a diplomatic row and led Taiwan to impose retaliatory measures against the Philippines.
Taipei has refused to lift its sanctions until Manila offers an official apology, compensates Hung’s family, brings those responsible for the shooting to justice and opens fishery talks with Taipei to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
One fisherman at the funeral said disputes in the two countries’ overlapping waters have distressed Pingtung fishermen for a long time and he urged that they be solved.
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