BPBD Morotai Island Efforts To Repatriate 2 Fishermen Who Had Drifted To Philippine Waters

Two fishermen from Morotai Island Sukri Soleman (41 years) and Yusup Abdurahman (45 years old) have been declared missing and were found by foreign fishermen to be returned to Morotai Island, Friday (15/9/2023). ANTARA/Abdul Fatah

TERNATE - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Morotai Island Regency, North Maluku (Malut) will seek the repatriation of two missing fishermen to Philippine waters currently located on Miangas Island, North Sulawesi. "Based on the results of coordination, the two fishermen from Morotai will be repatriated," said Head of BPBD Morotai Regency, Muslim Djumati when contacted, Antara, Friday, September 15. Two fishermen from Morotai Island Sukri Soleman (41) and Yusup Abdurahman (45) have been found missing by foreign fishermen and information received on Thursday from Lanal Melonguane will be sent home by passenger ship from Miangas to Bitung, North Sulawesi, then to Morotai Island. Meanwhile, the cost of repatriation itself, assisted by the Sangihe Talaud Regency Government and from Bitung to Morotai Island, will be borne by the Morotai Island Regency Government. He stated that the two fishermen according to the report were in good health after undergoing examination before being sent home. Previously, the Ternate Basarnas Search and Rescue Office stated that two fishermen from Morotai Island Regency who had been missing while at sea were found safe in the waters of neighboring the Philippines. The head of the Ternate Basarnas Fathur Rahman was contacted on Wednesday, explaining that the chronology of the two victims was found, on September 9, 2023 at 12.00 WITA, the two fishermen were found by foreign fishermen from the Philippines around the waters of the Palau Islands. On that occasion, the Filipino fisherman gave 100 liters of fuel to the two fishermen from Morotai for their return trip. The fisherman then traveled back to Morotai, but because the fuel given was not enough to reach his destination and could only reach the waters of Miangas Island. Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi Province. So, on September 13, 2023 at 20.00 WITA, the two fishermen's long boats were already in the waters of Miangas Island but could not dock. So, on September 14, 2023 at 06.30 WITA, longboats were finally able to dock at Miangas Public Port and then at 06.40 WITA, the two fishermen from Morotai were taken to the Miangas Police Station to be given food, drink, health checks and questioned.

At 09.00 WITA, after being questioned at the Miangas Police, the two fishermen were taken to the AL - Miangas Post to rest while waiting for the repatriation process to Morotai Island. On September 14, 2023, around 10.40 WIT, the Morotai Alert Unit coordinated with the Morotai BPBD informed that the return would be carried out in coordination between the Morotai BPBD and the North Sulawesi BPBD.