Yusril: RI Commits to Solving the Problem of Filipino Descendants Without Documents

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra emphasized that the Indonesian Government is committed to resolving the problems of Indonesian-Filipino descendants who have been living without citizenship documents (undocumented persons), including Indonesian citizens who are in the Philippines.

When receiving a state visit from the Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Christopher Montero in Jakarta, Yusril said the problem of undocumented persons was a humanitarian issue that required close cooperation between the two countries.

"We are committed to resolving this issue through an administrative approach and humanitarian reconciliation, especially in border areas," said Yusril, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 13.

According to him, the administrative and reconciliation approach is the key to ensuring that their basic rights can be met with dignity.

Not long ago, said Yusril, his party had also met with the Philippine Consulate General in Manado to discuss the agreement between the Indonesian and Philippine governments to provide opportunities for Indonesians in the Philippines and Filipinos in Indonesia to choose whether they want to become Indonesian citizens (WNI) or Philippine citizens.

For those who choose to become Indonesian citizens, he said that the descendants of the Philippines in North Sulawesi have been issued various population documents, such as the Population Identification Card (KTP) and Family Card (KK).

Meanwhile, for those who choose Filipino citizens, a Filipino passport has also been issued and a residence permit has been granted by the Immigration to settle in Indonesia.

"The same thing was also done to Indonesian citizens in the Philippines," he said.

In that way, Yusril conveyed that Indonesia and the Philippines had agreed to resolve the problem in a good and dignified manner in order to respect human rights, both for Indonesian citizens and Filipino citizens.

The meeting confirmed the commitment of Indonesia and the Philippines to continue to strengthen legal and humanitarian cooperation based on mutual respect for the rule of law, protection of human rights, as well as regional stability and security.

During the meeting, the Philippine Ambassador Christopher Montero also hoped for an improvement in relations with Indonesia at the Asia Summit in the Philippines, as well as a bilateral meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Philippine President Bongbong Marcos.