TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese company Gold Apollo released a statement on Wednesday (Sept. 18) denying that it manufactured the pagers used in the detonations across Lebanon a day earlier.
The company's founder, Hsu Ching-kuang (許清光), explained that a European company, which had the right to use Gold Apollo's brand and technology, made the pagers.
Hsu emphasized the distinction, stating, "the product was not ours. It was only that it had our brand on it." He did not disclose the name of the European manufacturer, adding that Gold Apollo was also a victim of the incident.
"We are a responsible company. This is very embarrassing," Hsu said, adding that the company is planning to take the issue to court.
Two sources familiar with Hezbollah's operations told Reuters that the group's fighters started using pagers to evade Israeli tracking. The incident has raised serious questions about the security and misuse of communication devices bearing the Gold Apollo brand.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. The revelations have highlighted the need for stricter regulations and oversight in the manufacturing and branding of communication devices.
