Palu, Jan. 26 -- Indonesia's immigration office in Palu, Central Sulawesi, has quarantined 15 Filipino nationals who were stranded in waters off Buol District and plans to repatriate them after verifying their identities, an official said on Sunday.

The group is undergoing quarantine and identity checks before being sent back to the Philippines, said Muhammad Akmal, head of the Class I Immigration Office in Palu.

During the quarantine period, the office will provide for all of their basic needs, including food and clothing, he said.

"We are taking statements and conducting formal examinations to confirm their identities and citizenship status," Akmal said.

Immigration officers picked up the group from Buol, and they arrived at the Pal...