DSWD braces for Sabah deportees’ arrival

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Zamboanga peninsula is preparing for the mass deportation of illegal Filipino migrants from Sabah. 

The DSWD said it is expecting a weekly arrival of the deportees, with the pronouncement of Malaysian authorities on the crackdown on foreigners, including Filipinos, illegally staying in their country. 

Ivan Salvador, DSWD- Region 9 information officer, said at least 203 deportees arrived on M/V Antonia in this city on Thursday. 

Salvador said the DSWD has assisted around 800 Filipinos deportees from Sabah since last month.

The DSWD has so far provided P9.8 million in assistance, including food, transportation fare and medical services, since January. 

 “We have been informed about the... crackdown... We are gearing up and ready to activate our task force if there will be mass deportation,” Salvador said. 

Abdurajul Abduhalim, DSWD-Processing for Displaced Persons chief, said the deportees complained of poor sanitation, food quality and lack of medical assistance in Sabah’s detention centers for illegal migrants.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has called on undocumented Filipinos to take advantage of the Malaysian government’s voluntary deportation program to avoid detention.

The DFA said there are around 400,000 undocumented Filipinos in Sabah.