Turtle Islands disallows boats to anchor
Published on: Tuesday, August 06, 2019
By: Nikko Fabian
Tawi Tawi: The Municipality of Turtle Islands (Taganak) in Tawi-Tawi province refused to allow the skippers of nine wooden boats to use its wharf for a short stopover on Sunday.
This was because the wooden boats were suspected of transporting undocumented Filipinos to Sandakan.
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The municipality is just less than an hour of boat ride from Sandakan and the newly installed officials under the leadership of Mayor Haji Moh. Faizal Jamalul (pic) had recently launched a war against drugs, illegal recruitment, smuggling and all kinds of heinous crimes, including terrorism, in the area.
“The skippers wanted to drop anchor in our jetty but we did not allow them to do so because we suspected that they were involved in human trafficking...we advised them to return to their port of origin. We also told them that the Malaysian authorities will immediately be notified should they proceed to Sandakan,” Faizal said.
“I asked the owners of these wooden vessels not to drop anchor in my municipality if they are carrying undocumented Filipinos, failing which they would be arrested together with their passengers for human trafficking,” he warned.
Faizal identified the vessels as Fharamae 1, Fharamae 2, Aleyassa, Nur Ena, Radzma J., Monisa, Fatima Riaza, Lalhafidz and Bryan.
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The mayor said Turtle Islands was previously used by illegal recruiters as a jump-off port before making the sea crossing to Sandakan.
He said all the local authorities in the area, including at the provincial level, agreed to tighten security for the benefit of the Tawitawians (locals) and Sabahans.
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Unlike before, Faizal said Turtle Islands is now strictly scrutinising every vessel and its passengers coming in and out of our municipality to ensure that the long arm of the laws of both borders will be fully respected and adhered to by everyone.
Violators of the law will be dealt with accordingly without fear or favours, he said.
“I will develop Turtle Islands with the help of my Provincial Governor Yshmael ‘Mang’ I. Sali, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and President Rodrigo R. Duterte,” he assured.
“It is very important also that I work closely with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to achieve the desired goals and objectives,” said Faizal.
He said vessels ferrying local residents and legitimate tourists to Sandakan will be allowed in the municipality.
He said some tourists visit the town to witness the laying of eggs by green sea turtles on the beach at night.
Malaysian authorities, he said, are firm in going after illegal immigrants.
“I do not want to see victims of illegal recruiters landing in Malaysian jails ...this is the very reason why we are strictly imposing the ban in our municipality,” he stressed.
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