LAHAD DATU: The State Immigration Department on Wednesday repatriated 260 undocumented Filipino migrants to their home country via a commercial ferry from Lahad Datu port to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
The group—transferred from the Kota Kinabalu, Papar, and Sandakan depots—included 167 adult males, 40 adult females, 30 male children, and 23 female children, ranging in age from five days to 68 years. All minors were accompanied by parents or legal guardians.
This sea transfer follows two earlier air repatriations this month: five adult male Chinese nationals were sent directly to Guangzhou on July 14, and five adult male Pakistani nationals were deported to Lahore via Kuala Lumpur on July 10.
To date, the department has repatriated 4,275 foreign nationals, comprising 2,838 Filipinos, 1,207 Indonesians, 105 Pakistanis, and 89 Chinese. All deportees have completed their legal sentences and possess valid travel documents.
The department has urged the public to avoid harbouring or employing undocumented migrants and to report any suspicious activities through the official (SISPAA) https://spab.gov.my or (SOP) https://eapp.imi.gov.my portals. – James Leong
Filipino deportees boarding the vessel in Lahad Datu on Wednesday.
