SANDAKAN, Nov 19 ― A total of 452 Filipino illegal immigrants were repatriated through the port of Sandakan to Zamboanga, Philippines, today.      

National Security Council (NSC) director Datuk Rodzi Md Saad said the illegal immigrants were sent home via the "MV Lady Mary Joy 3’ ferry at 7.30 am.

"Those deported were from the Sandakan and Tawau temporary detention centres. They were between one and 84 years old,” he said in statement.

Last Tuesday, Sabah NSC repatriated 400 illegal immigrants through the same port.

Rodzi said the effort was proof of the government’s serious commitment in addressing overcrowding of illegal immigrants in the state detention centres. ― Bernama