Marawi Conflict: 16 Indonesians Arrived from the Philippines

TEMPO.CO, Tangerang - As many as 16 Indonesians who were trapped in conflict area Marawi, the Philippines weeks ago have returned to Indonesia. The group arrived in Terminal 2D Soekarno-Hatta airport at 10:40 in the evening on Saturday (3/6).

The Foreign Ministry's director for the protection of Indonesian nationals and entities abroad, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, said that the group flew from the Phillipines through Singapore. "The group was directly accompanied by Indonesia Consulate General in Davao," he said in Soekarno-Hatta airport.

The 16 Indonesians are members of Jamaah Tabligh in which the headquarter is Masjid Raya Kebon Jeruk. Ten of them are from Bandung, while the rest are from Makassar. They were evacuated on 1 June 2017. The group from Bandung was evacuated from Marantau and the group from Makassar was evacuated from Sultan Naga Dimuporo. In addition to these 16 Indonesians, an Indonesian and his family are still in the Phillipines near the conflicting area, but they will be evacuated later, Iqbal said.

The group is currently in the immigration office of Soekarno-Hatta airport. Iqbal explained that they are asked about the condition of the last place they went to. He added that the government want to obtain important and relevant information on the situation of the conflict and Indonesians who are allegedly involved in the conflict.

VINDRY FLORENTIN