The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia continues to extend assistance to all Filipinos in Sabah after the return of more than 700 nationals this week.

“The return of Filipinos from Sabah to Zamboanga during the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has always been coordinated between Sabah authorities and the Task Group for the Management of Returning Overseas Filipinos (TG-MROF), which is the Philippine government body tasked to oversee the Sabah transfers,” Philippine Ambassador Charles Jose said in a statement Friday.  “This is to ensure the safe and orderly travel of all returning Filipinos and to minimize the risks of Covid-19.”

Jose said the transfer complies with the latest entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for travel to the Philippines.

“In all previous transfers during the pandemic, the embassy was always present to provide welfare assistance, supervise Covid-19 testing, and issue travel documents to the returning Filipinos,” he added.

The statement came after about 750 undocumented Filipinos were sent back from Sandakan to Zamboanga City on Tuesday.

Reports said the nationals have been detained in various centers since 2020 for violating Malaysia’s travel requirements.

The embassy said it would continue to work with Sabah authorities and other Philippine government agencies to ensure the safe return of Filipinos. (PNA)