US to help Philippines over Sabah deportees
MANILA - US diplomats have been sent to the southern Philippines to assess the need for potential US government aid to illegal workers deported from Malaysia, the defense department here said today.
The 15-member mission from the US embassy in Manila flew to Bongao in the Tawi-Tawi group, the designated port of entry for thousands of repatriated Filipinos, a department statement said.
"The team members started preliminary assessment of the conditions of the deportees Wednesday to determine their needs," it added.
Upgrading facilities
Earlier, Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines Taufik Mohamed Noor told AFP that Malaysia has agreed to implement several proposals from the Philippines for the orderly deportation of Filipino illegal immigrants after complaints they were ill-treated.
They include an upgrading of facilities at the deportation centres to cater particularly for pregnant women, children and elderly and the opening up of an additional embarking point for deportees.
Officials in the Philippines have alleged that at least three children have died during the recent deportation of some 12,000 Filipinos, and at least one 13 year-old girl was allegedly raped by Malaysian enforcement officers at a holding center. AFP
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