Embassy wants speedy repatriation
Published on: Friday, November 18, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is expeditiously issuing travel documents to all the Filipino deportees at the various immigration holding centres upon request from the Malaysian immigration in Sabah.The doubling of efforts is to avoid any delays in the repatriation exercise of paperless Filipinos carried out by the Malaysian authorities and in accordance with the request for assistance made by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak to President Rodrigo Duterte.Najib seeks Duterte's help to reparriate the 7,000 undocumented Filipinos held at various holding centres in Sabah.
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Najib also offered ships for the deportation process if needed."Currently my office is expediously issuing travel documents to our detained deportees at holding centres to avoid delays in the repatration exercises," Philippine Embassy to Malaysia Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya said.Speaking after attending the first convocation exercise of 31 primary students of Stairway To Hope Learning Centre here, the Ambassador said he did not want the issuance of travel documents to held the repatriation now and in future.He said Zamboanga-based Aleson Shipping Lines operating the weekly Sandakan-Zamboanga ferry services has ready M/V Kristal Jane as the alternative vessel and regular operation will resume in few days time.
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He assured that the Embassy will closely coordinate with the relevant authorities in Sabah in all aspects particularly in the prompt scheduling of the repatriation process of the undocumented Filipinos.On the proposal for a Philippine navy vessel to help in the repatriation in view of the forthcoming Christmas season, Malaya said "It would best to use the available commercial ferry services first...if there delays then, both sides will have to talk on the next course of action". He also said the embassy hopes to discuss Duterte's idea of setting up a school and hospital to be run by Filipinos for Filipinoss here.
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"Access to education and medical care for Najib and Duterte Filipinos in Sabah was discussed between. We would like to work closely with the Malaysian Government about how to make this idea happen," he stressed.Meanwhile, the Ambassador congratulated all the 31 graduating students during the ceremony of which he was the guest of honour. Malaya reminded the students, parents, faculty members, benefactors, supporters, friends and others that the existence of six alternative learning centres for children of undocumented parents has nothing to do with politics.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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