The government of Malaysia is set to deport the first batch of illegal Filipino immigrants by next week, as preparations with Filipino counterparts are underway.
The Philippine government has sent a team from the consular office in Kuala Lumpur Thursday.
RPN DXXX Zamboanga correspondent in Sabah Nikko Fabian said the consular team arrived in Kota Kinabalu Thursday to prepare the deportation excercise once the the Philippine government gives the “green light”.
The Malaysian government is set to deport 400 Filipino illegal immigrants as first batch. Most of the 400 deportees will compose female, minors and children, Fabian quoting Malaysian authorities.
Fabian quoting Malaysian authorities in Sabah, the tentative date of the deportation activity will be June 30, 2020.
Meanwhile in Zamboanga City, IATF Chief Implementer Sec. Carlito Sobejana met with the local TF Covid to know the preparations of the government for the reception of the deportees who will arrive in the city.
Earlier, Fabaian said, no less than the Manila government quoting a letter of Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, the deportation activity should be on hold as the city is still “not prepared” to receive the deportees.
Malaysia is set to deport 5,300 Filipino illegal immigrants who are currently detained in different detention facilities in Sabah.
Fabian quoting Malaysian authorities in Sabah, the Filipino consular team are composed by staff from the DSWD, OWWA and DFA. With the Philippine consular team are Malaysian medical teams who will assist to swab and test those who will be deported.
“Starting today (Friday) until Sunday, the swabbing will be conducted” to those Filipino illegal immigrants to be deported.
“The Malaysian government assures the Philippine government, Covid positive deportee will not be deported”, to Philippines, Fabian quoting the information in Sabah.
Those positive will be treated until their test turns negative, and that is the time they will be deported, said Fabian.
On the other part of the local shipping company in Zamboanga, the Aleson Shipping Lines claimed, they are ready to leave the port of Zamboanga to Sandakan, in Sabah once the government gives them clearance to leave.
Fabian claimed the shippine lines company of Aleson Shipping Lines will be allowed to dock at the port  of Sandakan, in Sabah and will not stay long based on the protocol set by the Malaysian government.
If allowed to leave, the boat will leave Zamboanga port by Monday evening and expected to arrive in Sandakan port by Tuesday noon and will “immediately leave by nightfall”. It is expected to arrive in Zamboanga Wednesday afternoon.