57 Filipinos stranded in Samarinda

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: At least 57 Filipinos have been stranded on Derawan island in East Kalimantan province since last week when their boat struck engine trouble, an Indonesian official said here on Monday.

The boat, M.L. Rubyan, which carried the 57 Filipinos, was cast ashore last Dec. 2 on Derawan island in Berau district, where it had been for about three days, Tarakan navy commander, Lt. Col. Atok Dushanto, said.

Some passengers of the boat, which usually plies the Tawi-Tawi-Basilan route in the Philippines, said the boat's engine and propeller had malfunctioned, he said.

An Indonesian customs and excise office boat found the ill- fated M.L. Rubyan on Dec. 4 and towed it to Kakapan island on Dec. 5, Atok said.

He said he ordered his staff members to visit Kakapan island on Dec. 6 and help the 57 Filipinos.

Atok said his office had already informed a Philippine liaison officer in Tarakan island of the incident.

East Kalimantan shares borders with Malaysia and the Philippines. -- Antara