Distressed Indonesian National rescued in Tawi tawi sea waters after 23 days

By Jong Cadion
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http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1031714

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (April 12, 2018) - An Indonesian national whose boat was floating in the Tawi-Tawi sea waters for days was rescued by local fisher folks of Tawi-tawi at 4pm Tuesday (April 10).

Western Mindanao Command Information Officer Capt. Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said that Indonesian national identified as Erens Fiter was noticed by a Filipino fisherman Idris Elsan while the former was inside a makeshift floating cottage in the vicinity of Barangay Manuk Mangkaw, Simunul in the province of Tawi-tawi.

According to Fiter, his floating cottage was cut from its anchor since March 19 due to the strong winds and his cottage was casted away from shore. He further revealed that he had been trying to get help among passing sea crafts however, it seemed that he was not able to catch attention.

Fiter was immediately brought to Simunul Municipal Police Station at 7am yesterday after spending the night at his rescuer’s house, WesMinCom Official said.  

He was also given medical attention by the Simunul PNP and was eventually turned over to the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi at 2pm yesterday, Capt. Petinglay added.

The Marines under Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 brought Fiter to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi in Bongao after the turn over, and an immediate coordination with the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office and the Bureau of Immigration was facilitated for the disposition of the rescued person.

“We coordinated with the INTERPOL Tawi-tawi and the Indonesian Border Crossing Station (BCS) for the background check of Fiter,” said Brigadier General Custodio Parcon, commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi. “Indonesian BCS personnel initially vouched for the subject’s nationality but reserved the final confirmation when Indonesian authorities from Indonesia communicate their feedback.”

The subject is currently at the headquarters JTF Tawi-tawi while awaiting for his final disposition.

“Since our trilateral cooperative arrangement is on effect, we are able to closely coordinate with our neighboring countries and address security concerns and other issues,” added BGen. Parcon.

“We are thankful that Fiter is well. Our troops are now currently processing his immediate return to his country with the help of concerned agencies.”