KOTA KINABALU: Some 200 Filipinos were deported back under a Sabah Immigration Department programme via Sandakan port on Wednesday (Feb 8).
Sabah Immigration director Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yusoff said this third series for deportation via sea route for 2023 only involved those from the Papar immigration depot, where the undocumented migrants were put on the Mv Antonia 1 ferry bound for Zamboanga City Port, the Philippines.
“Those held at this depot have conducted various offences under Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
“There were 145 men and 31 women (categorized as adults between 13 to 69 years old), as well as 24 minors below twelve years old.
“The children involved are accompanied by their parents or guardians,” she said in a statement here.
She reminded that all foreigners must ensure they have valid travel documents and work permits to be employed in Sabah, before entering the country.
Sabah Immigration continues to be committed to enforcement and deportation operation of undocumented migrants after the national legal procedures have been carried out and after getting confirmation from the embassies of respective country of origin, she added.
