Taiwan says it will consider sanctions against the Philippines over the shooting of a fisherman by the Philippines Coast Guard.

The Philippines government said it would not apologise for the incident until an investigation had taken place, after Taiwan had earlier demanded one.

The 65-year-old fisherman, Hung Shih-cheng, died after the Philippines Coast Guard fired at a Taiwanese fishing boat on which he was a crew member.

President Ma Yin-Jeou says Taiwan will seek justice for the fisherman's death, demanding compensation and a full investigation as well as the apology.

"We will not rule out the possibility of taking any kind of sanctions," he said.

"The Philippines shot an unarmed fishing boat.

"This is very brutal and cold-blooded."

Mr Ma says fault lies with the Philippines.

However the Philippines' presidential spokeswoman, Abigail Valte, says the coast guard was acting in self-defence when it fired, saying the response was in proportion to the situation.

Ms Valte says the fishing boat tried to ram the coast guard vessel, and the coast guard were doing their job trying to stop illegal fishing.

Philippines Coast Guard spokesman, Commander Armand Balilo, says the Taiwanese boat had entered Philippines waters.

"If somebody died, they deserve our sympathy but not an apology," Mr Balilo said.

The Philippines has suspended 11 coast guard staff and two fisheries staff who were on board the vessel and has pledged an impartial investigation.

The fisherman's son says the boat did not cross into Philippine territory.

ABC/AFP