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Nine Indonesians have to stay in Manila for probe into passport fraud
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Deputy East Java Governor Saifullah Yusuf (second left) and Pasuruan Regent Irsyad Yusuf (left) talk to family members of would-be Indonesian haj pilgrims who had attempted to depart to Saudi Arabia using fake passports. (Antara/Umarul Faruq)
T
he Foreign Ministry has confirmed that nine of the 177 Indonesian would-be haj pilgrims arrested by Philippine immigration officials over passport fraud have to stay behind in Manila for further investigation.
Philippine authorities had requested that the nine assist the officials in digging deeper into the case and uncovering the perpetrators behind the fraud, while the other 168 Indonesians were set to return home, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said on Thursday.
"[The nine Indonesians] are still present as victims and witnesses. They will testify during the investigation process and they will remain at the Indonesian Embassy in Manila," Arrmanatha said, adding that the government hoped the investigation would conclude soon so that they could come home.
Meanwhile, the government is going through administrative procedures for the repatriation of the other 168 Indonesian nationals. They were expected to fly back on Friday or Saturday, Arrmanatha said, adding that the Foreign Ministry had coordinated with regional governments to welcome the Indonesians home.
Philippine Immigration head Jaime Morente said earlier that agents had reportedly provided fake Philippine passports for the aspiring pilgrims. Haj fees paid by the pilgrims reportedly varied between US$6,000 and $10,000 per person.
The plan was for the Indonesians to use remaining slots in the haj quota provided by Saudi Arabia to the Philippines.
Morente said the group was exposed after airport staff discovered that they were unable to speak Tagalog. (dan)
