KOTA KINABALU, Sept 5 — The 11 holidaymakers who were arrested after intruding into the Philippines’ maritime zone on Sunday will be sent to Manila tomorrow and subsequently deported, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The group includes three Malaysians and eight Chinese nationals.
“The latest status I’ve been given is that some of them will be flown to Manila where they will undergo process for document verification for deportation.
“I am being told they will be flown tomorrow morning,” he said.
Four other Malaysians are still being detained to facilitate investigations into the boat ownership.
Last Sunday, Philippine authorities detained 15 people — seven Malaysians and eight Chinese nationals — on suspicion of illegally entering the country’s waters.
According to a Philippines News Agency (PNA) report, Philippine Immigration Bureau Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the 15 were detained in the waters of Sitangkai, near Tawi-Tawi in the southern region of the country.
The 15 were on two speedboats for a fishing outing in Malaysian waters, before straying into Philippine waters.
Today, Sabah Tourism, Culture And Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said that Philippine authorities have stated that the group did not appear to have any intention beyond recreational fishing.
She also said investigations into the tour operators were ongoing.
“If found guilty, their licences will be revoked by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. They will investigate. If they are not licensed operators, we will decide what to do when the time comes,” she said.
