Ople Center seeks reintegration plan for Filipinos from Sabah

Ople Center seeks reintegration plan for Filipinos from Sabah

Jul 11

The Blas F. Ople Policy Center issued this press release today:

The Blas F. Ople Policy Center (BFO Center) said the country should have a reintegration plan in place 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.

According to news reports, the Sabah-based Federal Special Task Force (FSTF) announced that around 250 Filipinos were held at the Menggatal temporary detention centre last Tuesday prior to deportation via a ferry that would bring the workers to Zamboanga from Sandakan. The FSTF announced to the media that it 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 of the returnees hail from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and the three Zamboanga provinces.

The Ople Center headed by former labor undersecretary Susan Ople, said it was informed that the Philippine Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia has agreed to 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 2008 and from Kota Kinabalu only, around 9,670 illegal foreigners were deported to their home country. Out of this number, 6,925 were Filipinos and 2,335 were Indonesians. From 1990 to 2007, 298,601 illegal migrants were deported that included 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 Filipinos are sent home,” the Center said. ###