Embassy: 5,844 of estimated 400,000 undocumented Filipinos assisted

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) posted an advisory on social media last Thursday, warning Filipinos in Malaysia illegally of impending crackdowns as the country’s Voluntary Deportation Programme came to an end this week.

According to the release, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose revealed the embassy assisted 5,844 Filipinos since January 2016, when the program began. He added, however, there are an estimated 400,000 undocumented Filipinos currently in Malaysia.

“We request our kababayan to exercise due prudence and to ensure they carry their legal documents at all times,” the envoy advised.

Nationwide immigration crackdown were said to have begun yesterday.

In an earlier report from Malaysian news publication, The Straits Times, Malaysia Immigration Department Director-General Mustafar Ali said, following the close of the amnesty program, the government will “take a more firm approach” with regard to those in the country illegally.

Earlier this week, DFA reported 129 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returned home from the United Arab Emirates as part of the country’s ongoing amnesty program for those who have overstayed their visa or are in the country illegally.

As of the last report, over 300 OFWs have been repatriated from the middle eastern country./WDJ