52 Filipinos caught fishing illegally in Indonesia arriving

DAVAO CITY – Fifty-two Filipino fishers repatriated by Indonesian authorities for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters will arrive at the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) headquarters here on Tuesday, June 2, for turnover to Philippine authorities.

Captain Alberto Caber, Eastmincom spokesperson, said Indonesian authorities apprehended the Filipino fishers, aged 19-50, in April this year after they allegedly encroached in Indonesian waters to fish.

Caber said the fishers would arrive at the Eastmincom aboard the BRP Cebu from Indonesia for a formal turnover ceremony attended by immigration and quarantine officials and the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

“Most of their fishing boats were already destroyed by Indonesian authorities,” Caber said.