A group of 844 Filipinos who returned from Sabah, Malaysia, received immediate government assistance upon their arrival at the Zamboanga City port early Saturday morning.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Zamboanga Peninsula (DSWD-9), alongside partner agencies, met the returnees as they disembarked from a commercial vessel at approximately 3 a.m. The group traveled via the Sandakan-Zamboanga route.
DSWD-9 Director Riduan Hadjimuddin reported that the batch consists of 518 adult males, 210 adult females, and 116 children (59 boys and 57 girls). This group marks the first batch of Filipino returnees from Sabah for the year.
“Upon arrival at the port, they were immediately provided hot meals and essential personal items by DSWD personnel,” Hadjimuddin said in a statement.
Following their arrival, the returnees were transported to the DSWD Processing Center for Displaced Persons in Barangay Talon-Talon.
The agency is currently profiling and assessing the individuals to facilitate their return to their respective hometowns.
According to the DSWD, the majority of the returnees are residents of Tawi-Tawi, while others are bound for various provinces across the Zamboanga Peninsula and nearby regions.
Hadjimuddin emphasized that the department remains committed to providing protective services and immediate relief to returning Filipinos, particularly those in vulnerable situations.
