Biak, Papua (ANTARA) - The Biak Numfor Immigration Office in Papua would deport 26 crew members of two Filipino fishing vessels, arrested for illegal fishing activities in the Indonesian waters on May 9, 2025, a government official said.

The Filipino nationals would be deported for having no proper documents on June 17 as scheduled through Frans Kaisiepo Airport in Biak, Head of the Papua Immigration and Correctional Services Directorate General Samuel Toba said.

Speaking at a press briefing along with Biak Numfor Immigration Office Head Jose Rizal here Saturday, Toba said the deportation process of these FB Twin J-04 and YB Yanreyd-293 crew members could hopefully be more quickly completed.

By doing so, the deportees, who had stayed in Biak since the capture of their fishing boats on May 9 and for undergoing legal process, could reduce their stress and anxiety, he added.

To facilitate the deportation process, his party had coordinated with the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta and the Philippine Consulate in Manado, North Sulawesi, regarding the deportees' travel documents in lieu of a passport, Toba said.

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