Bitung, North Sulawesi – The Indonesian government has formally established the legal status of persons of Filipino descent who have lived in Indonesia for decades without clear documentation, marking a major step towards legal certainty, protection, and access to civil rights.
The policy primarily affects communities in North Sulawesi, where generations of Filipino descendants have resided without recognised nationality or immigration status.
Coordinated Government Response Launched in Bitung
The initiative was officially marked by the launch of the Coordination Desk for the Handling of Persons of Filipino Descent (PFDs) in Bitung City on Tuesday (23 December). The desk serves as a central coordination hub involving multiple Indonesian ministries and agencies, in cooperation with the Government of the Philippines.
According to Ramdhani, Head of the North Sulawesi Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, the desk ensures that all administrative and legal processes are handled in an integrated manner.
“Through this coordination desk, the entire resolution process is carried out in an integrated way, ensuring legal certainty and tangible human rights protection,” he said.
LENTERA Programme Addresses Cross-Border Citizenship Issues
Alongside the desk’s launch, the government introduced the LENTERA Programme (Langkah Efektif Nasional dalam Transformasi Tata Kelola Resolusi Administratif Antarnegara), a national framework designed to resolve cross-border citizenship issues.
The programme integrates central and regional government policies, supported by bilateral diplomatic cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines, to provide long-term solutions for individuals affected by nationality gaps.
Immigration Status Granted to 201 Individuals
As part of the policy’s implementation, 201 persons of Filipino descent have been officially designated as Registered Filipino Nationals (RFNs) following data collection and nationality verification conducted by the Philippine government. This designation provides them with formal administrative recognition in Indonesia.
RFN holders have been granted immigration stay permits free of charge (IDR 0). Additionally, 21 individuals have been designated as subjects for the confirmation of Indonesian citizenship, thereby granting them full access to state services and civil rights.
To prevent future undocumented status, the government has also issued Certificates of Residence (SKTT) to holders of Limited Stay Permits.
Ending Decades of Legal Uncertainty
“This is a concrete step by the state to end long-standing legal uncertainty and provide dignified protection for persons of Filipino descent, particularly in North Sulawesi,” Ramdhani concluded.