SANDAKAN: The resumption of the MV Antonia 1 Zamboanga-Sandakan ferry service by Aleson Shipping Lines brought renewed travel links between southern Philippines and eastern Sabah, including a potential sea-route opportunity for eligible Filipino deportees wishing to return home.
According to Aleson, the vessel will depart Zamboanga City for Sandakan on Oct 20 at 1pm, with the return service set on Oct 22.
The Sandakan-Zamboanga route offers a regular scheduled sea crossing that relevant authorities may utilise for organised repatriation movements, alongside ordinary passenger travel.
Many Filipino nationals undergoing deportation in Sabah previously had relied on irregular or limited-capacity transport arrangements.
Aleson clarified that it does not arrange deportation orders itself, but can accept officially-referred repatriation group passengers with prior advance co-ordination.
For repatriation-related queries, individuals are advised to check with the Malaysian Immigration and Philippine consular offices rather than shipping ticketing counters.
Aleson reminded all travellers, including those part of official repatriation groups, to carry complete valid travel-related documentation.
The operator said only the two October trips have been announced so far; further trips will depend on passenger uptake and cross-border-agency arrangements.
The route also serves family-reunion travellers, small-scale traders and tourists between the two regions.