174 fishermen repatriated from Indonesia arrive in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—One hundred seventy-four fishermen repatriated from Bitung City in Sulawesi, Indonesia arrived here on Friday and were immediately assisted by the city government.

The fishermen, from areas such as General Santos City, Saranggani, Bayugan in Agusan del Norte, Negros Occidental, and Iloilo, had spent between two to three years in Indonesian jail for illegal fishing, officials said.

Jefry Tupas, the Davao City information officer, said a team from the City Health Office (CHO) initially examined the deportees for signs of serious communicable diseases.

“Most of them had bruises, boils and fever and cough, probably acquired while they were in detention and aggravated by their three-day sea voyage,” Tupas said.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, the CHO head, said none of the 174 fishermen suffered dangerous infections such as malaria and dengue.

Tupas said the city social welfare office had facilitated the return of the repatriated fishermen to their respective homes. RAM/rga

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