Indonesian navy nabs 6 Filipino fishermen

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Royal Indonesian Navy (RIN) apprehended a Philippine fishing boat and its seven crewmembers — six Filipinos and one Indonesian — for illegal fishing in the waters off North Sulawesi, Indonesia, the Southern Command reported yesterday.

The arrest was made when the Indonesian navy rescued Filipino seafarers who drifted on the same waters for 15 days, according to Maj. Gamal Hayudini, spokesman of the Southern Command.

The fishing boat F/B Peter-1 was apprehended last week by the elements of the RIN, 28 nautical miles off Talaud Regency, North Sulawesi.

Indonesian navymen discovered that the fishing boat has expired sailing permit and has seven crewmembers on board.

The Filipino crew were identified as Bricido Sumabat, boat captain; and crews Felogne Vilammia, Emmanuel Robles, Nonito Salgol, Ariel Nebrie, Joel Dalisang and Ronald Penafiel while the Indonesian was identified as Agustin Rakioaung.

Indonesian navy investigators disclosed that the owner of the fishing boat is a certain Mr. Jackson of General Santos City, while his agent in Indonesia is a certain PT Draton Adiyta Pensama.

Hayudini said the fishing boat and its crew are now in the custody of the RIN.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian navy rescued nine Filipino seafarers last Jan. 28 after drifting for 15 days aboard its ill-fated motorboat in the waters off Maratua Island, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan.

Hayudini said the M/L HM Express with nine passengers sailed off from Sitangkai last Jan. 13 and was bound for Bongao, Tawi-Tawi when it developed engine trouble.

The passengers, who are all natives of Bongao, were rescued and were said to be in stable condition.

They were immediately turned over by the Berau Resort Police to Tarakan Immigration office last Friday for repatriation back to Tawi-Tawi.