SEMPORNA: General Operations Force (GOF) personnel foiled an attempt by four speedboats carrying 29 undocumented migrants to enter here.
The group aged between two and 60 were escorted out of the country’s waters in an operation dubbed “Op Taring” at waters off Mataking Island at 8am on Saturday.
Sabah GOF Brigade Commander ACP Abdul Rani Alias said his men managed to intercept the boats which had come in from the Philippines.
“After stopping the boats, we found the skippers, as well as the passengers, did not have any valid personal documents,” he said, Monday.
“All the individuals confessed they were Filipinos who wanted to enter Semporna.”
SAC Abdul Rani said his men subsequently told the skippers to head back to the Philippines, escorting the boats until they left the country’s borders.
He said they also gave a stern warning to the individuals not to enter the country illegally again.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.