PCG prepares for deluge of Filipino deportees from Malaysia

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station here is bracing for the arrival of thousands of undocumented Filipinos from Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur ended its amnesty program.

Capt. Joseph Coyme, chief of the PCG Southwestern Mindanao, said an estimated 400,000 Filipino illegals in Malaysia would be targets for deportation.

“We are bracing for the mass deportation of undocumented Filipinos in Malaysia,” he said.

Malaysia ended its amnesty program on Aug. 30.

“We have been dealing with deportation issues, but this time it’s different because (400,000) is a huge number,” said Lt. Commander Noriel Ramos, district commander of the PCG Zamboanga Station.

“We will be dealing with it soon and we need the support of other government line agencies,” he said. —JULIE ALIPALA