Nearly 2,000 Filipinos in Malaysia return home due to crackdown

DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has repatriated nearly 2,000 Filipinos from Malaysia in the first three weeks of January due to the nationwide crackdown against illegal foreign workers.

“For the period of January 1 to 21, a total of 1,988 Filipinos were able to leave Malaysia,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing Tuesday.

“From January 21 to 27, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur escorted 188 illegally staying Filipinos to the Immigration Department to process their exit passes,” he said.

Around 240 other Filipinos have been assisted by the Embassy before January 21 to have their exit passes processed as well.

“Regarding the case of the Filipino worker who allegedly experienced maltreatment during detention in Kota Kinabalu, the Embassy sent a representative to talk to him personally and to immediately provide direct assistance,” Hernandez said.

The Embassy brought up the case to the Federal Task Force for further investigation and to prevent future incidents, he said.

“The Embassy continues to extend the necessary assistance to our nationals who are affected by the nationwide crackdown in Malaysia,” Hernandez said.

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