Crisis unit created for exodus of Filipinos from Sabah

MANILA, Philippines – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has created a crisis unit in anticipation of a mass deportation of Filipinos from Malaysia to Tawi-Tawi due to clashes between Malaysian security forces and followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Wednesday that the Task Force Basulta (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) went on blue alert, ordering all personnel to continuously monitor updates on the situation in Sabah.

The Office of Civil Defense-Basulta is spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government-ARMM.

On Tuesday afternoon, 72 evacuees from Sabah arrived on Sibutu Island, based on reports from the Philippine Red Cross Tawi-Tawi.

A crisis management committee was also created by the military’s Western Mindanao Command.

The local disaster agencies also held an emergency meeting to identify schools and municipal gyms in Sulu that can be used as evacuation centers for deportees, the NDRRMC said.