Palace welcomes former President Fidel Ramos initiative

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed efforts of former President Fidel V. Ramos to help bring back good relations between the Philippines and Taiwan following their row over Manila’s decision to deport 14 Taiwanese nationals wanted for credit fraud to mainland China.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Ramos’ trip to Taipei recently was a personal trip of the former president.

“But certainly we welcome the efforts of former President Ramos in smoothing the relations between the Philippines and Taiwan,’’ Lacierda told reporters.

Lacierda also said the Palace will study the recommendations that Mr. Ramos will give following his trip to Taiwan.

“If and when he reports to the President and offers some recommendations, certainly they would be studied,’’ he said at a press briefing.

Ramos went to Taiwan for a five-day private trip but met with Taiwanese Vice President Vicent Siew where they both reportedly called on their respective governments to resolve the deportation row.

President Aquino had sent former Sen. Mar Roxas to Taiwan last month to explain why Manila decided to deport the 14 Taiwanese nationals but Taipei demanded an apology from the Philippine government. The Philippines, which does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, refused to apologize.