A 44-year-old overseas Filipino worker pleaded guilty on Tuesday of smuggling 16 migrants into Malaysia.
Based on the report of the news site of the local Daily Express, Saring Osman admitted to trafficking the illegal workers via a ship bound for Tanjung Berungus, Sabah, last Feb. 6.
Osman, who was not represented, appealed to the high court for a permissive sentence as he has to provide for his wife and seven children in Cagayan, Palawan. Instead of facing jail time, Osman said he preferred to be deported back to the Philippines to reunite with his family.
Although his sentencing was temporarily postponed by the high court, Osman faces 15 years’ imprisonment and a hefty fine. Gianna Francesca Catolico /ra/rga
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