Navy detains 220 Filipino boat people

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Navy arrested 220 Filipinos on board a boat flying the Philippine flag, in the waters of North Waigeo near Raja Ammpat Islands off Irian Jaya.

Navy Lt. Col. Danisworo Pandoe confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, saying the boat, the Larasasti, was on its way to New Zealand.

Danisworo said the people, who claimed to be fishermen, did not have legal identity cards and immigration documents, Antara reported.

Of the 220 people, 20 were crew members.

He said the Navy has been working closely with the Philippine consulate in Manado, North Sulawesi to deport the boat people, who are detained at the Sorong immigration office. --Antara