MANILA -- The Philippine government would defer any comment on the incident stemming from the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard last week while deliberations are on going, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Wednesday.

Lacierda said,"Over the past few days, queries as regards to the situation arising from the May 9 encounter have been coming from the media. However, at this point, there would be little to say aside from reiterations of the President's call for all to approach the issue with calm."

"We hope for your understanding as we defer from further commenting on the issues with the objective of preventing further escalation while deliberations are ongoing," he told a press briefing held at the Malacanan, the presidential palace, on Wednesday.

He added that there are ongoing "deliberations" at present which they would leave to the concerned authorities.

Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou is strongly dissatisfied with the Philippine response, an island spokesperson said earlier Wednesday.

The island has decided to immediately adopt a three-point countermeasure, including freezing the applications of Filipino laborers wishing to work on the island, the spokesperson said.

He said Taiwan will adopt another eight measures should the Philippines fail to meet the island's demands by 6 p.m. on Wednesday.