226 illegals Filipinos were deported back to their country of origin

Kota Kinabalu: A total of 226 illegals immigrants (Pati) from the Philippines were transferred from the Port of Sandakan to return to their country of origin, yesterday. They were detainees at the Sandakan Immigration Depot who were transferred using sea transport to the Port of Zamboanga City, Philippines.

Sabah Immigration Department Director, Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yusoff said the transfer involved a total of 153 men and 56 women.

In addition, she said, JIM also sent home 17 boys and girls aged 12 and under.

“This is a series of seven transfer programs for the evictee category by sea for the year 2024 to their respective countries of origin using Vessel MV Antonia 1 transport.

“All illegal immigrants between the ages of two and 73 are committing various offenses according to the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963,” she said in a media statement today.

SH Sitti Saleha said that the punishment imposed is based on the Immigration Act and the legal process until the act of transfer out of the country.

In this regard, SH Sitti Saleha said, the Sabah Immigration Department will continue to commit to carrying out enforcement operations from time to time.She said, strict action will be taken against those who do not comply with the rules and laws of the country.

“The transfer of Pati will be done after going through all enforcement actions and national legal processes and getting confirmation from the respective country’s embassies.

“This transfer operation is part of the ongoing operation carried out by JIM Sabah for foreign national detainees who are stationed at all Immigration Depots throughout the State of Sabah,” she said.