Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian government has set up a special desk to address the legal status of Persons of Philippines Descent (PPDs) in Indonesia and Persons of Indonesian Descent (PIDs) in the Philippines to provide concrete recommendations and technical guidance for resolving long-standing citizenship problems affecting thousands of people.

“Thousands of Indonesian–Philippines descendants still face unclear nationality status. Without official documents, they are vulnerable to exploitation, lack access to education, and are denied proper legal protection,” said Agato Simamora, the Assistant Deputy for Immigration Services Strategy at the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, on Thursday (2/10/2025).

The desk will focus on legal and administrative matters, immigration procedures, population registration, and bilateral diplomacy, according to antaranews.com. 

Officials confirmed that 374 individuals in North Sulawesi have been verified as Filipino citizens and are awaiting official passports. Indonesia and the Philippines pledged to accelerate joint efforts, stressing the issue goes beyond administration and involves fundamental human rights.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)