Kota Kinabalu: The deportation of Filipinos who violated Malaysian travel provisions is set to accelerate significantly with the relaunch of the Zamboanga-Sandakan ferry service on Feb 27.
M/V Antonia 1, operating from Zamboanga City, will transport both deportees and regular passengers.
AdvertisementDakota Snd Bhd, the appointed agent, expects approximately 800 undocumented Filipinos to be repatriated during the vessel’s first voyage. Dakota Chief Executive Juvi Tulipas said the ferry will operate a bi-weekly schedule.
She said this will significantly increase the rate of deportations compared to previous methods.
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The increased frequency of ferry services will offer a more streamlined and consistent pathway for the return of Filipino nationals to their homeland, she added.
AdvertisementM/V Antonia 1 will depart the port of Zamboanga on Feb 26 and expected to arrive in Sandakan the following day. The vessel will navigate back to its original port in the evening on the same day of arrival.