MAF halt illegal entry by 34 Filipinos

The Malaysian Armed Forces through the Joint Forces Headquarters 2 (MK ATB 2) detained 34 undocumented Filipinos off Pulau Denawan near here for entering the country illegally through Semporna last night.

ATB 2 commander Brigadier general Zarondin Md Amin in a statement here today said the suspects, in seven boats, were intercepted in a quick reaction force (QRF) at 8.39 pm.

He said the suspects aged between 20 and 50 years were from southern Philippines and could not produce any valid identification documents on inspection.

The suspects and boats were handed to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), that is, Mabul Island police at 4.40 am for further action, he said.

Zarondin said the group was the largest to be detained by ATB 2 this year.

-- BERNAMA