MANILA, Philippines — The first batch of evacuees from Sabah comprised of 394 Filipinos will arrive in Tawi-Tawi on July 6, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)-Bureau of External Relations said Friday.
From Malaysia, the evacuees will go to Zamboanga City by batches, prior to traveling home to Tawi-Tawi, according to the commission.
NCM also said the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Social Service and Development, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine Red Cross Tawi-Tawi, and NCMF offices in Tawi-Tawi discussed Friday preparations for the arrival of around 5,300 stranded Filipinos from Sabah.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the repatriation will be composed of 400 persons per sortie with intervals of 15 days.
He said Zamboanga City will serve as the processing area for the repatriates.