Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou says he will give the Philippines 72-hours to respond to demands regarding the shooting death of the Taiwan fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng, or Taiwan will retaliate.

Possible actions include freezing all employment applications by Philippine laborers, recalling its representative to the Philippines and asking the representative of the Philippines in Taipei to leave.

In his latest statement, Ma demanded the Philippines apologize, clarify what happened and punish those responsible. He also said the Philippines should offer compensations for the fisherman's death and damage to the fishing boat. Negotiations with Taiwan should also be started as soon as possible on a fishery agreement. Earlier in the day, Ma Ying-jeou inspected a coast guard drill in central Taiwan.

Ma Ying-jeou said, "Once more, we are asking for an apology from the Philippine authorities and that whomever is responsible be punished. We need a guarantee from the Philippines that this will never happen again. Justice will be done for our fellow fisherman, and we will not rule out sanctions toward the Philippines. We will not give up, until the murderer is brought to justice. "

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