A group of 800 Filipinos deported from Malaysia has arrived in the Philippines. Among these individuals are 122 children under the age of twelve.
According to data from the Field Office IX of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the group arrived at the port of Zamboanga City in southern Philippines around 8:00 PM on October 30. These people were held in detention facilities in the cities of Sandakan, Papar, and Tawau.
DSWD reported in a statement published on the agency's Facebook page that the returning Filipinos consisted of 589 adult males, 89 adult females, as well as 64 boys and 58 girls, all of whom were under 12 years old.
This was the second batch of deportees accepted by the Philippines this year following the resumption of repatriation operations; the first group arrived in January 2026.
Upon arrival, DSWD provided immediate assistance, including food, in cooperation with partner agencies. They were then transferred to the Persons Crossing Detention Center (PCDP) for further assessment and determination of individual needs and required support.
The latest operation brought the total number of Filipinos sent home from Malaysia this week to 1069, including 269 repatriates who arrived on October 27, according to the Malaysian publication The Star.
This year, a total of 7490 detainees of various nationalities were repatriated from Sabah, including 5357 Filipinos.
Many of the deported Filipinos from Malaysia, especially from Sabah, are illegal migrants who do not possess valid immigration status, work permits, or proper travel documents. Malaysian authorities have also intensified law enforcement operations targeting undocumented foreigners.
The Director of Immigration in Sabah, Datuk Seri Siti Saleh Habib Yusof, told The Star that Malaysia plans to repatriate 800 detained Filipinos monthly as part of upcoming operations.
She noted that such repatriations will free up space in detention centers, allowing the Immigration Department and other law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts against illegal migrants. Siti Saleh also urged embassies to expedite the issuance of travel documents so that detainees can be sent home without delays.