TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrested 26 Filipinos believed to be illegals travelling in a boat, about one nautical mile from Sipadan Island, yesterday.
Tawau MMEA enforcement chief, Capt Wan Mohd Affandi Wan Ahmad in a
statement today said all the illegals were detained in the operation
following information received from the Sabah Parks officer who was
patrolling the waters of Bohey Dulang Island.
He said in the 8.30pm operation, the Sabah Parks officer pursued a
long boat on suspicion the illegals were trying to bring out timber from
the island.
However, the boat was stranded and the Sabah Parks officer contacted the MMEA for assistance.
On arriving at the location, the MMEA officers found the boat was
carrying 20 men, four women and two boys, all aged between six and 62,
from Bongao in
southern Philippines.
Wan Mohd Affandi said all of them were brought to the Tawau MMEA office
for further investigation under the Immigration Act. - Bernama
