SANDAKAN: Some 200 Filipinos who were detained at the Papar Immigration Depot were deported via Sandakan Port on Wednesday.
Sabah Immigration Director Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yusoff said this third series of deportation via sea route for 2023 only involved those from the Papar Immigration Depot.
She said 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 (categorised as adults between 13 and 69 years), as well as 24 minors below 12 years.
“The children involved are accompanied by their parents or guardians,” she said.
She added that the punishment imposed was based on the Immigration Act and the country’s legal process up to the action of moving them out of the country.
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.
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