REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Head of the National Police`s public information bureau, Brigadier General Agus Rianto, said that until now the police have identified eight suspects of the case of Indonesian pilgrims using Philippine hajj passport.

"We are still investigating the case. So far, there are eight suspects," he said, Tuesday (13/9).

Previously, National Police named seven perpetrators. They are the operator of hajj travel agents.

"National Police have handled all and we named the eight suspects," he said.

Last week, police said has been eyeing on five people as suspect of illegal hajj pilgrimage. The police believed they hold Malaysian and Philippine passports and work for travel agents. 

One of them, identified by his initials as HR, was the mastermind.

The Philippine immigration authorities has detained the 177 Indonesian hajj pilgrims for trying to travel on fake Philippine passports on August 19.

Agus continued, the National Police have boosted cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines.

"We will see the progress of coordination. If there is a criminal element, it will be processed," he said.

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