(AFP) - Malaysia will continue deporting illegal Filipino immigrants despite political turmoil in the southern Philippines, an official said today.

A total of 566 immigrants were sent back to the southern Philippines city of Zamboanga from Sabah today, said Bustami Yahya, deputy director of the state's task force on illegal immigrants.

"Deportation of Filipino illegal immigrants shall proceed despite the current political strife in southern Philippines," he said.

Bustami was quoted by Bernama as saying authorities hoped to send back another 1,000 illegals before Hari Raya.

From January to October this year, a total of 23,546 mostly Filipino and Indonesian illegal immigrants were deported from the state.

Security alert

Police and military forces in the state have been put on high security alert following fresh clashes between followers of Muslim leader Nur Misuari and the Philippines government this week.

Misuari, who is wanted back home on charges of rebellion, was arrested last Saturday and is currently being detained in Sabah.

Malaysia has said it will deport the former governor, but is studying a request by Manila that it detain the rebel leader for a while longer.