Before being repatriated after 13 days adrift at sea, the Palu Immigration quarantined 15 Filipino citizens

PALU - The Immigration Office of Class I TPI Palu, Central Sulawesi, has quarantined 15 Filipino citizens who were previously stranded in the waters of Buol Regency before being repatriated to their home country.

Head of the Class I Immigration Office of the Palu TPI, Muhammad Akmal, said that the foreign nationals (WNA) are currently undergoing a quarantine process while identity and citizenship status are being examined.

"Currently undergoing quarantine and identity checks before being repatriated to their home country," said Akmal in Palu, Antara, Sunday, January 25.

During the quarantine period, the Palu Immigration ensured that all the basic needs of foreign nationals were met, including food and clothing. At the same time, officers also took statements and prepared the minutes of the examination (BAP).

"During quarantine, we took statements and conducted a report of the examination to ensure their identity and citizenship status," said Akmal.

He explained that the dozens of foreign nationals were picked up by immigration officers from Buol Regency and arrived at the Palu Immigration Office around 10.00 Wita. The inspection was carried out to ensure that all of them were indeed citizens of the Philippines, or there was a possibility of other citizens who could speak Filipino.

Regarding the deportation plan, Akmal said his party would immediately coordinate with the Philippine Consulate in Manado, North Sulawesi, so that the repatriation process could be carried out as quickly as possible.

"After the examination is completed and coordination with the consulate is carried out, we will try to have them immediately repatriated to their home country," said Akmal.

Meanwhile, one of the Filipino WNA named Banjir expressed his gratitude to the community and the Indonesian Immigration for the assistance provided. He admitted that he and his family had been tossed around in the sea for 13 days before they were finally rescued.

"For 13 days at sea, we only had one pack of biscuits. I didn't eat, just shrimp so that everyone could survive," he said.

Previously reported, the 15 Filipino foreigners were stranded in Buol waters while on their way home to the Philippines. They are reported to work in the Semporna area, Sabah, Malaysia. However, the boat they were traveling on was damaged after being hit by a big wave in the middle of the journey.