SANDAKAN: Some 800 Filipino illegal immigrants were deported from Sandakan Port to Zamboanga City, Philippines aboard the MV Antonia 1 vessel, Wednesday.
According to State Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib, it was the second repatriation programme this year.
The group comprised 628 males, 104 women and 68 children aged six months and 12 years.
The youngsters were accompanied by their parents and guardians, Saleha said in a statement, Wednesday.
Of the number, 206 people were from the Sandakan Immigration Depot and 594 from the Kota Kinabalu Immigration Depot.
So far this year, a total of 1,525 detainees have been deported via sea and air.
Saleha said the department will continue to conduct enforcement operations and deport illegal immigrants who have gone through all necessary procedures, including confirmation from their respective embassies.
