Taipei, March 6 (CNA) A visiting Philippine congressman assured Taiwan Sunday that the Philippines is trying to resolve the diplomatic rift between the two countries smoothly and as soon as possible.
The longstanding friendship between the Philippines and Taiwan should be valued despite the recent dispute, said Roy M. Loyola.
Taiwan and its Southeast Asian neighbor have been engaged in a tense diplomatic row over Manila's deportation of 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China Feb. 2, with Taipei subsequently imposing retaliatory measures that include tightening the screening procedures for Filipino workers applying to work in Taiwan.
The congressman was accompanying former Philippine President Fidel Ramos and a group of businessmen on a March 3-7 visit to Taiwan to explore business opportunities.
Loyola's remarks echoed those of Ramos, who told reporters on the sidelines of a golf tournament in the central county of Changhua that the incident should not be allowed to affect the friendly ties between the two sides.
The Philippines extended a "goodwill gesture" in sending Manuel Roxas as a presidential emissary to Taiwan to explain the matter and has pledged to hold any government officials who mishandled the case accountable, Loyola said.
Taiwan's anger over the incident is a "normal reaction" and understandable, he went on.
"However, I respect the feelings of the Taiwanese government. And I'm thankful that some Taiwanese are supporting Filipino workers in Taiwan, " Loyola said, referring to a protest organized that day by local groups opposed to Taiwan's decision to freeze Filipino workers.
The Philippine Congress is conducting an investigation into the case, Loyola said, but added that he was not in a position to disclose its progress.
Taipei has said it will wait for the results of the investigation and follow-up measures before making its next move. The retaliatory measures are now still in place.
Antonio Basilio, managing director of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office -- the Philippines' representative office in Taiwan -- told CNA that same day that both sides are "close to a solution." He did not elaborate. (By Chris Wang) ENDITEM/J