224 Filipinos deported from N. Sulawesi

224 Filipinos deported from N. Sulawesi

Bitung, North Sulawesi: Local immigration authorities have barred 224 Filipinos from entering Indonesia after they violated the country's immigration laws.

Mulyono, the chief of the local immigration office, said on Friday that the ban would be valid for two years starting Aug. 20.

The Filipinos had been in Indonesia earlier, but were later deported home after the Navy found them fishing off of Sorong in Irian Jaya several weeks ago.

None of the Filipinos were carrying a passport on them.

The Navy later transferred the case to the provincial justice and human rights office and the Philippines consulate in North Sulawesi.

When asked about their fishing vessels, Mulyono said the immigration authorities were not in a position to impound them. --Antara