MARINE POLICE THWART ATTEMPT BY 77 FILIPINOS TO ENTER M'SIA ILLEGALLY

SANDAKAN (Malaysia), Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Marine police foiled an attempt by 77 Filipinos to enter Malaysia illegally when they stopped them near Pamaguan Island, here Monday night.

Sabah marine police deputy chief, Supt Wan Shazali Wan Abdul Rahman,
said
the Filipinos, comprising 31 men, 23 women and 23 children, sailing in two
dugouts and a pump boat, were arrested near the island at 11.40pm.

"The skippers of the two dugouts, however, managed to escape by diving into
the sea while the boat driver, a Filipino in his 30's and without any
identification document, was arrested," Wan Shazali told a press conference in
Sandakan, is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, Tuesday.

He said the dugouts and the pump boat were believed to be heading for
Sungai Batu Dua, Sungai Batu Tiga and Sungai Batu Putih to land the
illegals.

The initial investigation found that they came from Basilan Island in
southern Philippines.

They have been handed over to the Immigration Department for further
action, including deportation.