Taipei: Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou threatened to recall his representative to the Philippines and freeze work applications should its neighbour fail to respond within 72 hours to requests for an apology following the fatal shooting of a fisherman last week.

Mr Ma's "four solemn requests" include compensation, investigation and punishment of perpetrators, and the commencement of talks over fishing rights, the presidential office said in a statement on its website May 11. Taiwanese fishing vessel Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28 was hit by at least 32 bullets after a Philippine patrol boat on May 9 opened fire 304 kilometres southeast of Taiwan's southern tip, in waters north of the Philippines.

Taiwan's ultimatum comes amid heightened tensions over territorial claims in East Asian waters and as the Philippines seeks to cut unemployment. Filipinos are the third-largest foreign group in Taiwan. The Philippines' overseas workforce accounts for 10 percent of its gross domestic product.

Failure to respond to Ma's requests within the timeline, which commenced May 12, would result in a show of protest that includes halting worker applications, recalling his representative and sending the Philippine representative back home to deal with the issue, according to the statement.