16 June 2015 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the Philippine Consulate General in Manado, is scheduled to repatriate tomorrow, June 17, four (4) Filipino fishermen of fishing vessels KM Sta. Cruz, KM Sto. Tomas, KM San Jose, and FB Vient from Jakarta.

The 4 Filipino fishermen were arrested on 30 April 2015 for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. They were not in possession of passports nor travel documents when they entered Indonesian waters.

DFA has requested the Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to meet the repatriates at the airport and to arrange for their temporary shelter and transportation requirements for their onward travel to General Santos City. The DFA and DSWD have been working together to assist Filipino fishermen repatriated from Indonesia.

The Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) headed by Undersecretary Jesus I. Yabes is facilitating the repatriation of 43 other Filipino fishermen arrested by Indonesian authorities for the similar offense of illegally fishing in Indonesian waters.  Their travel arrangements are being processed by the Philippine Consulate General in Manado in coordination with Indonesian government authorities. END