Taiwan on Monday denied that the ship which sank off Norther Samar and was reported to be carrying a 24-kilogram cocaine contraband, was a Taiwanese vessel, saying that the vessel has long been purchased by an African company in 2000.
In a press conferences, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines representative Gary Song-Huann Lin also pointed out that the Jing Ming No. 16 cargo ship has set sail from Hainan, China Mainland and was supposed to travel to Chile.
“The so-called Taiwanese documents submitted to Philippine authority by the captain [a Mainland Chinese] are actually faked and forged by him, not true and authentic documents,” Lin said.
“The so called Jin Ming No. 16 cargo ship is not a Taiwanese ship. As per records of Taiwanese relevant authorities, the so called ‘Jin Ming No.16’ is not registered in Taiwan, and there is no database existing in Taiwan,” he added.
Lin said that ship was sold to the Togolese Republic in Africa in 2000.
Lin cited the ship’s document which was provided by the Philippine authorities which confirms the true owner of the vessel which is Togolese.
The Teco chief also said that his office found out that the captain is a Chinese national, while the crew include two from Hong Kong, and one Taiwanese engineer.
He added that due to geography and climate, Taiwan, like the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan, are not suitable to grow cocaine.
“It can only be produced in South America, or in the triangle of South East Asia,” he added.
Manila and Taipei have no formal diplomatic ties since the Philippines acknowledge the One-China Policy.
The Teco represents Taiwan, which acts as its de-facto embassy in the country.
On Jan. 2, the Jing Ming No. 16 sank in the Philippine waters at the height of Tropical Depression Agaton, where it was reported to be carrying a $120 million worth of cocaine.
Reports said onboard the vessel were nine crew members: six Chinese, two from Hong Kong and a Taiwanese, which were rescued in Pambujan town, Northern Samar.
Lin said Taiwan is ready to cooperate with Philippine authorities as soon as the result of the investigation comes out.
He said that Taiwan has been working with Philippine authorities to combat against illegal drugs.
“We would like to clarify this and let the public understand that Taiwan has partnered together with Philippine law enforcement agency to fight drug trafficking and transported crime,” he said.
“Taiwan is not the source of drugs, actually we are part of the contribution to fight against drug trafficking,” he added.