Inp.polri.go.id - Palu. The Palu Immigration Office transferred 15 Philippine citizens, who were stranded in Buol waters in January 2026, to the Manado Immigration Detention Center on Sunday (22/2/2026) for document verification and deportation. 

The group, rescued by local fishermen after their vessel was hit by heavy waves, was escorted by 15 immigration officers and Palu City Sub-regional Police personnel for the 24-hour overland journey to North Sulawesi.

"Following the Director General's instructions, we are escorting these detainees to Manado where verification will proceed through the Philippine Consulate," said Muhammad Akmal, the Head of the Palu Immigration Office, as quoted by antaranews.com

While the group is identified as Filipinos, authorities noted that several infants in the group were reportedly born in Tawau, Malaysia, necessitating further citizenship clarification by consular officials. 

The Manado Immigration Detention Center will now take over administrative processing and travel document issuance to facilitate their eventual repatriation. Immigration officials confirmed that all basic needs were provided during their month-long stay in Central Sulawesi.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)