KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – The Immigration Department (ID) on Saturday sent home a total of 316 Filipino illegal immigrants in their first deportation batch of 2021.
It’s state director Datuk Dr. Sade Amin said the group had been detained at the Tawau ID depot since 2020.
“Their journey home began with a 7 hour bus ride to the Sandakan port and off to Zamboanga, Philippines by ship.
“We abided by strict Covid-19 screening procedures to eliminate any chances of infection.”
He said the deportation programme this year was set for for an earlier date but postponed because of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
According to Sade, the Filipinos were found guilty of various offences under the Immigration Act; for not having proper travel permits or overstaying.
“We would like to thank the Philippines Consul General in Kuala Lumpur led by Anne Jalando-on Louis in making the programme a smooth success,” he said.
