Government prepares for the return of over 5,300 illegal migrants from Sabah MANILA – The government is preparing for the eventual return of some 5,300 illegal migrants currently detained in Sabah, Malaysia. In a press briefing at midday today, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said in a pandemic situation, close coordination between countries is expected. “You’re talking of over 5,000 persons so Malaysia is being careful,” he said. He added they are attending to the prerequisites like having all of them subjected to testing before departure. He said the arrangements are comparable with the coordination among local government units in the Philippines which send off and receive locally stranded individuals. Last June 3, a broadsheet in Malaysia reported the Philippines has refused to receive the illegal migrants rounded up by authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A week later, the Department of Foreign Affairs denied the allegation. They said the Philippine government remains committed to monitoring the status of Filipino nationals and vowed to assist them in their travel back to the Philippines. At the IATF meeting last night. Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. informed President Rodrigo Duterte of the preparations for the return of the stranded Filipino nationals in Sabah. He said they hope to bring the 5,300 home at the soonest possible time. (Melo M. Acuña)
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque. (File Photo/Melo M. Acuna)
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