DFA, BFAR Discuss with Davao, GenSan Boat Owners the Status of Filipinos Detained in Manado, Bitung

Consul General to Manado Oscar G. Orcine (rightmost) met with Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) officials and boat owners/ operators to provide an update on the case of Filipino fishermen apprehended in eastern Indonesia, as well as the anti-illegal fishing policy of Indonesian Government. (Manado PCG photo)

MANADO 10 October 2019 — Consul General to Manado Oscar G. Orcine held a thorough discussion with the officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of both Davao City and General Santos City on 27 September 2019 at DFA Mindanao.

Through the cooperation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Mindanao and the Consular Offices in Davao and General Santos City, the discussions also gathered a total of seven boat owners/operators, where Consul General Orcine provided an update on the cases of Filipino fishermen apprehended in eastern Indonesia and shared with BFAR the anti-illegal fishing policy of Indonesian Government.

The Philippine Consulate General in Manado also provided an update on the physical and medical condition of the Filipinos who are currently under the custody of the Marine and Fisheries Resources Base in Bitung and the Immigration Detention Center (RUDENIM) in Manado. Some of them were able to talk with their relatives, who assured that they are all in good condition.

BFAR officials provided their inputs and tangible solutions to the problems faced by Filipinos apprehended by Indonesian maritime enforcement agencies for purported illegal fishing activities in Indonesian waters.

Consul General Orcine emphasized the need to have a massive campaign on the Indonesian Government’s Fisheries Law to deter illegal fishing activities in Indonesian waters. He also underlined the Consulate General’s efforts to assure that all the rights of the Filipino fishermen are fully protected and implemented.

To date, there are 53 Filipino fishermen who are apprehended for illegal fishing activities in Indonesia. END

The team from the Philippine Consulate General in Manado with some of the boat owners/operators of Filipino fishermen apprehended in eastern Indonesia. (Manado PCG photo)

Consul General Orcine (fifth from left) and Assistance-To-Nationals Officer Zalvieluz P. Maquinad with the BFAR officials from Davao City and General Santos City. (Manado PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.manadopcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinManado/.