Taiwan's representative office in the Philippines today reminded Taiwanese travelers to avoid high-risk areas and refrain from displaying valuables, after Japan's embassy in Manila confirmed that two Japanese tourists were shot dead in a robbery in the city.
Wallace Chow (周民淦), head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, urged Taiwanese traveling or doing business in the country to stay alert and avoid unstable or dangerous areas.
Photo: Taipei Times
The victims were attacked at about 10:40pm on Friday after exiting a taxi in the Malate district, when a Filipino gunman opened fire and an accomplice seized their belongings before fleeing, the Japanese embassy said in a notice released earlier today.
Philippine authorities are investigating the motive and circumstances of the incident, it said, urging Japanese residents, tourists and business travelers to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Malate is well-known for its vibrant nightlife, offering a wide array of bars, clubs and karaoke establishments.
Philippine media reported the victims were in their 20s to 30s, with one bearing a dragon tattoo on his back.
A Filipino guide accompanying them has been taken in for questioning.
The Philippine government on July 1 began allowing Taiwan passport holders visa-free entry for up to 14 days for tourism purposes.
Some Taiwanese businesspeople expressed concern the killings could discourage Taiwanese from visiting the country.
After the incident, Lin Teng-feng (林登峰), president of the Taiwan Association Inc Philippines, an organization that assists Taiwanese business owners in the country, advised Taiwanese visitors to avoid unsafe districts.
He also suggested that they refrain from traveling alone.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
RSS