395 Filipinos deported via Sandakan after hiatus

A total of 395 illegal Filipino immigrants were deported to their country via Sandakan after more than three months of hiatus following the imposition of the movement control order (MCO).

Sabah’s National Security Council director Sitti Saleha said yesterday was the 20th series of deportation via sea routes involving the Filipinos and Indonesians this year.

“Like the other deportations, all those involved have been screened for Covid-19 before they were allowed to leave this country,” she said.

The detainees, said Sitti Saleha, were also required to follow strict standard operating procedure on hygiene from their detention until deportation.

Sitti Saleha thanked the Philippine government for covering the deportation costs, especially swab tests.

“We hope that the Philippine government can consider allowing deportations , not based on a 15-day rotation basis but on the original district or area these Filipinos come from,” she said.

This, she added, could speed up the deportation process.