Malaysia holds 15 Filipinos in Sabah

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Malaysian authorities are holding over a dozen Filipinos arrested during an immigration sweep in the mineral-rich state of Sabah being claimed by the Sultanate of Sulu.

Malaysian media said the operations which began after Christmas were continuing in Sabah in an effort to stem the flow of illegal immigrants following the spate of cross-border attacks and ransom kidnappings by pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf from the southern Philippines.

The Star reported Friday that at least 15 Filipinos – ages three to 50 – have been detained following their capture at the waters off Kampung Tong Batu Lok Damai in Pulau Sakar near Lahad Datu town.

Sabah Marine Police Chief Assistant Commander Mohamad Pajeri Ali said those arrested had no immigration documents and illegally entered Sabah by boat. “All of them admitted they were from the Philippines and came into the state illegally,” The Star quoted Ali as saying.

It said the Filipinos were being interrogated and could face a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of not more than five years or both if found guilty under Section 6(1)(c) Immigration Act 1959/63. They could also face six strokes of the cane.

Just this month, hundreds of illegal Filipino immigrants were deported here from Sabah, arriving by boat after being incarcerated for many months or weeks in various jails across Sabah.

Ali also urged locals to report to authorities the presence of illegal immigrants in their villages. The operations coincided with the heightened alert imposed by the Eastern Sabah Security Command following intelligence reports that Abu Sayyaf or allied groups were planning to kidnap local citizens or fishermen.

Only recently, gunmen on speedboats opened fire on a maritime patrol off Pulau Mataking in Semporna town near the Philippine border. Although no one was killed in the shooting, the attack once again proved that Sabah remains vulnerable to cross-border raids by armed groups. (Zamboanga Post)

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