Taiwan has rejected a Philippine apology for killing a fisherman from Taipei last week, imposing sanctions that included freezing applications for work permits and pulling back on economic relations.

The argument began when a boat from the Philippines allegedly opened fire on a Taiwanese fishing boat, killing a fisherman from Taipei on Friday.

The Philippines said that the Taiwanese vessel had tried to ram the Philippine boat first, in an economic zone that the Philippines claim is theirs.

According to the Taiwanese government, however, both countries have staked their claim on the area.

After a vessel rammed into the Philippine one, the latter boat responded by setting off warning shots that struck a fuel tank, killing the 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman.

Taiwan immediately demanded an apology from the Philippine government, which Manila gave on Wednesday, giving the "appropriate authority" in Taiwan notice of the "unfortunate loss of the fisherman," Reuters reported.

A spokesperson for Philippine President Benigno Aquino said that the attempted reconciliation was formally given on behalf of Philippine governmental bodies.

But Jiang Yi-hua, Taiwan's Premier, said the apology would not suffice, as it labeled the fisherman's death as unfortunate and unintentional. This, according to a statement from the Taiwanese government posted on its website, was an untruth meant to hide what really happened in the disputed waters located between the northern tip of the Philippines and the southern Coast of Taiwan.

"We can absolutely not accept this," Jiang said.

The Taiwanese government has since withdrawn their ambassador in the Philippines, frozen Philippine applications for work permits and instructed Manila apologize to the deceased's family.

Philippine presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it was unfair for Taiwan to take out its anger on the over 85,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan, pleading with Taiwan to accept the apology given.

"We understand the grief and hurt of the family and of the people of Taiwan over this unfortunate loss and we empathize with them," he said. "Let us not involve our Filipino compatriots there. They are working and they are...there for an honest living."

Recently, various Asian countries have clashed over disputed waters.

A Chinese fishing boat took shots at a Vietnamese vessel in an area of the South China Sea they both have asserted is theirs in March.

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