Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) head Silvestre Bello III denied that reports that Taiwan has suspended the visa-free entry of Filipinos to Taiwan.
Bello told GMA News that he immediately sought clarification from Taiwanese Representative to the Philippines Michael Pei-Yung Hsu when he heard about the report and he was told that there could be ‘misunderstanding’ on the recent entry rules.
“Nung natanggap ko yung balita, agad-agad kinausap ko ‘yung kanilang ambassador… at maliwanag ang kaniyang sinabi na hindi po totoo ‘yan,” Bello said.
“Ang paliwanag niya his explanation it’s possible that there was a possible misunderstanding on Taiwan’s announcement na meron silangvisa-free entry sa bansang Europe, United States, United Kingdom, Canada without mentioning the Philippines,” he added.
The report came after Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) announced that it will resume visa waivers for the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several mostly European countries starting September 12.
The notice also however states that Taiwan is suspending visa free entry to Chile, Dominican Republic, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, and Russia.
“Sabi niya pakiklaro ‘yan, false rumor ‘yan, hindi totoo ‘yan. ‘Yan ang sabi sa akin kagabi,” he said.
