Nine Filipinos deported

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Nine Filipinos have been repatriated by the provincial immigration office here following their arrest for illegally entering northern Maluku's waters.

The head of North Sulawesi's justice office, Freddy Gerung, said yesterday the nine Filipinos were taken to Bitung port in late January before being deported, Antara reported.

It was reported they entered Maluku's waters where they got stranded near an island in Ternate regency.

The deportees were Ricky Cortez, 21, Ariel Abellor, 22, Reynald C. Olediana, 23, Trisisio Herda, 23, Carlos Condistable, 29, Melly Alcasaren, 16, Rolly Dejillo, 18, Roel Maglasang, 23, and Jerry Gudeneq, 16.

In 1997 the Manado immigration authority deported 23 foreigners while in 1996 it sent home only five.