The Philippine Commission on Human Rights is seeking "timely and effective cooperation" from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to probe and document the alleged human rights violations of Filipino migrants in Sabah.

In a letter to Suhakam dated Sept 6 which was made available to malaysiakini , the Philippine commission requested to investigate and document the alleged violations, including the burning of residences and incidents of sexual slavery as reported in the media.

The commission also wants to investigate and document other alleged incidents such as the death of 13 deportees, mostly children, and their maltreatment and harassment in the detention centres.

The commission secretary, Homero Matthew P Rusiana, said they wanted to prevent a recurrence "or further human rights violations of alleged undocumented aliens in Malaysia, especially the rights of children and women".

He said the commission decided to investigate and document the alleged violations after accounts of their arrests, detention, maltreatment by Malaysian authorities were highlighted in the local media.