Taiwan is increasing its patrol presence in waters to the south of the island, following Thursday's attack on a Taiwanese fishing boat by an official Philippine vessel.
"The government is resolute in guarding the safety of our fishermen," Executive Yuan Spokesperson Cheng Li-wun said today.
The Coast Guard Administration will send the 36-member crew Tainan frigate from the Port of Kaohsiung this afternoon to join the Fu Hsing and the Shun Hu No. 1 patrol vessels on a four-day, three-night mission, Cheng said. The Ministry of National Defense will also dispatch the 3,600-tonne Kang Ding frigate equipped with S70-C helicopters. Meanwhile, the ROC Navy is expanding the perimeter and frequency of its patrol operations.
Other ministries and agencies will provide full backing for the mission to protect Taiwanese fishermen's legal rights to fish in these waters, Cheng said. The government will stand firm in defense of Taiwan's sovereignty and its fishing interests.