ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 707 Filipinos, including victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment, arrived here on Friday, March 28, after being deported from Sabah.
The group, which includes 37 children aged two to 12-years-old, came from the port of Sandakan on board a passenger vessel.
Department of Migrant Workers-9 Regional Director Gay Iris TS Tangcalagan said some of them were suffering from bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, acute gastroenteritis, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, epilepsy, congenital heart disease, hypertension, and colon cancer, and required medical treatment.
The DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-9, and Department of Social Welfare and Development-9 distributed food packs and water as immediate assistance.
The Bureau of Immigration conducted profiling and documentation.
Tangcalagan stressed the government’s continuous support to the deportees. She said that they are committed to the process of properly documenting, assisting, and leading their reintegration into society.
The deportees, locally known as halaws, include victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment. Majority of them came from three different detention facilities in Malaysia. (Liza Jocson)
