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The Blas F. Ople Policy Center (BFO Center) is asking the government
to adopt a reintegration plan for thousands of returning Filipinos
as the Malaysian government and state officials of Sabah gear up for
a massive crackdown on illegal workers in the island state.
“Whether a trickle or a flood, what is certain
is that Filipino workers without proper documentation would soon be
sent home,” the BFO Center said.
The Sabah-based Federal Special Task Force (FSTF)
has announced that around 250 Filipinos were held at the Menggatal
temporary detention centre on Tuesday prior to their deportation to
Zamboanga from Sandakan.
The FSTF aims to deport around 25,000 illegal
migrants this year. Filipinos and Indonesians represent the biggest
number of undocumented workers in Sabah. Malaysia deported nearly
19,000 illegal migrants from Sabah last year.
The BFO Center said a special fund would be
needed by both the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the local
governments in Mindanao to pay for the transportation, food and
temporary lodging of Filipinos returning from Sabah. Most returnees
hail from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and the three Zamboanga
provinces.
The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia have agreed to jointly
conduct regular consultations to ensure the humane treatment as well
as safe and orderly exit of affected Filipinos. The embassy
confirms, however, that the immigration crackdown will take place.
“In the absence of clear and viable
alternatives, these returnees may be left with little choice, but to
return illegally to Sabah or join the rebels and bandits hiding in
the jungles of Mindanao,” the Center said in its statement.
From January to May in Kota Kinabalu, around
9,670 illegal foreigners were deported to their home country. Of
this number, 6,925 were Filipinos and 2,335 were Indonesians. From
1990 to 2007, 298,601 illegal migrants were deported, including
161,704 Filipinos.
“Does the government have a tracking system in
place to ensure that these returning Filipinos are able to ease
their way into the mainstream? Is there a mechanism where human
trafficking victims who are sent home can be identified and helped
through counseling and the filing of cases against their illegal
recruiters? It’s best to draw up a reintegration program now
before more Filipino are sent home,” the Center said.
Malaysia had announced it will launch a massive
operation to deport tens of thousands of Filipino and Indonesian
illegal migrants from Borneo island where they are blamed for drugs
and crime.
Authorities also want to bolster security along
Malaysia’s land and sea borders with the Philippines and Indonesia
to prevent further illegal crossings.
Sandwiched by the Philippines in the north, and
Indonesia’s Kalimantan to the south, resource-rich Sabah is a
magnet for immigrant workers who for decades have come to labor on
construction sites and oil palm plantations.
Sabah and neighboring Sarawak state make up
Malaysia’s half of the vast island of Borneo, which it shares with
Indonesia.
Authorities say there are 130,000 illegal
migrants in Sabah, but local politicians put the figure as high as
500,000.
Malaysian authorities had promised to hold talks
with the Philippines and Indonesia to organize the mass deportation.
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