Ferry service transporting Filipino deportees from Malaysia to be relaunched

A ferry service between Sandakan in Malaysia and Zamboanga City in the Philippines will resume later this month to repatriate Filipino nationals who have been apprehended for violating Malaysian travel and immigration laws.

Dakota Marine Agencies, the designated ship agent in Malaysia, expects approximately 800 Filipino deportees will be repatriated during the first trip of the relaunched service, which is scheduled to depart Sandakan on Thursday, February 27.

The service will utilise the Ro-Pax ferry Antonia 1, which is operated by Aleson Shipping Lines based in Zamboanga City. Two departures from Sandakan carrying both deportees and regular passengers will be scheduled for each week.

Another repatriation service via ferry is ongoing between Lahad Datu and Bongao in the Philippines' Tawi-Tawi province.

Dakota Marine Agencies' Chief Executive Officer Juvi Tulipas told local news outlet Daily Express that the relaunched repatriation voyages will help significantly increase the rate of deportations to the Philippines via Sabah.