KOTA KINABALU: The 11 China and Malaysian nationals arrested for encroaching on the Philippines' territory from Sabah will be released.
According to Philippines media, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi has decided not to charge the 11, opting for diplomacy and leniency.
Governor Yshmael “Mang” Sali was quoted as saying on Thursday (Sept 5) he was convinced that the Malaysian and Chinese tourists were unaware of their transgression during the fishing trip on Sunday (Sept 1).
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The Tawi-Tawi Peace and Order Council, alongside relevant government agencies like the Bureau of Immigration, had a meeting to decide on the fate of the three Malaysians and eight Chinese nationals.
Tawi-Tawi Peace and Order Council member and Taganak (Turtle Islands) mayor Faizal Jamalul confirmed that the tourists were in good hands.
He assured them that they would be allowed to return to Sabah on humanitarian grounds and to maintain relations between the countries.
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He said they were briefing Malaysian authorities on the incident and that the tourists would be allowed to return to Sabah soon.
The seizure of the tourists’ two speedboats would also be lifted, said Faizal.
