The Philippines media today highlighted reactions of high-ranking personalities to the recent reported death of at least seven children in Sabah, amidst an ongoing exercise to deport illegal immigrants.

Foreign Secretary Blas Ople, the presidential press secretary, a senator and several politicians were among those who called for response by, or action against, the Malaysian government.

Earlier today, about 20 people had demonstrated in front of the Malaysian diplomatic mission in Manila.

The issue surfaced after television footage showing crowded conditions in a Malaysian deportation camp in Sabah. A woman deportee was shown weeping over her dead child in the clip, which was aired by a Philippine television station.

Yesterday, Ople summoned Taufik Mohamed Noor, the Malaysian envoy to the Philippines, to express concern over the alleged mistreatment of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

Issue of liability

It is learnt that Sabah immigration director Abdullah Sani Sulaiman is in Kuala Lumpur, while Lamberto Marin labour attache at the Philippines embassy here has left for Sabah.

Neither of the officials, nor the Immigration Department spokesperson, could be reached for comment.

Philippine senator Rodolfo Blazon called on his government not to let the death of Filipino children in Sabah pass without an investigation or at least a diplomatic protest note, if it is determined that Malaysian authorities are liable.

The Manila Times quoted him today as also saying that Malaysia could be held liable for the death [of at least seven] children because its ongoing deportation campaign "is proving too much for holding areas to accommodate".

In the diplomatic protest, which Ople handed over to Taufik yesterday, Manila complained about Kuala Lumpur's heavy-handed treatment of Filipinos.

Ople was also quoted in the Philippine press as saying that the action was meant to alert Kuala Lumpur to what was happening in Sabah.

"There is a big gap in what is being reported to Malaysia and what is really happening on the ground," he told the Manila Times .

Ople said his concerns were based on "reports of consular teams in Sabah confirming the harsh treatment of Filipinos being kept in several detention cells and the death of several infants due to malnutrition and pulmonary diseases".

Philippines may resurrect claims

The Manila Times quoted presidential press secretary Ignacio Bunye as warning that the reports of "inhumane" treatment of Filipino deportees might be used to resurrect the Philippines' claim over Sabah.

"What we know is that the claim has not been dropped. It has been on the backburner but I'm sure that in view of the current situation, there is a renewed interest in such a claim," Bunye reportedly said.

The Philippines government has consistently claimed that Sabah had been a part of the Sultanate of Sulu until it was handed over to Malaysia by the British. Malaysia disputes the claim.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer also reported that other politicians have echoed the call for President Gloria Arroyo ( left ) to revive claims on Sabah.

"Historically, Sabah belongs to the Philippines. We only leased it to the British who, in turn, gave it to Malaysia. It was never returned to us even after we tried to claim it," said senator Manuel Villar.

And if the Malaysians persist on maltreating Filipinos, then the government should consider reviving its claim, he added.

Villar, also the chair of the Senate foreign affairs committee, said Malaysia has "never given due importance" to the Philippines despite the two countries being neighbours.

Adrift at sea

Also according to the Manila Times , Filipinos were also angered by a recent incident when the Philippine navy had to rescue 173 migrants including women and children drifting at sea in a fishing boat meant for 30.

Filipino migrant workers have been trying to leave Sabah in droves after the Malaysian government began taking illegal immigrants to court under new provisions of the Immigration Act 2002 since Aug 1.

The law, which allows for those convicted to be jailed and whipped, has seen 200 migrants of various nationalities being found guilty to date.

A grace period extended by the Malaysian government for illegal immigrants with travel documents to depart Sabah expired on Aug 24. However, up to 20,000 Filipinos are still stranded there due to transportation problems, leading to requests for Philippine naval assistance.

Villar has called on his government to step up its efforts to repatriate the remaining deportees, according to the Philippines Daily Inquirer . It quoted him as saying "they need bigger ships, more food and medicines".