TANAH MERAH: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said the government is making efforts to bring back the seven Malaysians recently detained in the Philippines.
Saifuddin said he was informed about the situation during a briefing with Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Datuk Victor Sanjos yesterday.
"In the briefing yesterday, l was told by the Esscom commander that efforts have been made to bring them back.
"We hope there will be positive results and the operation will go smoothly.
"Hopefully, they can be brought back to Malaysia soon," he said.
Saifuddin, speaking at a press conference after launching the state Immigration Department's Baitul Mahabbah here today, said Malaysian authorities were investigating the reason the seven were in Philippine waters.
It was reported that the Malaysians were among 11 individuals, comprising nine men and two women, who were on holiday in Semporna. They were reportedly fishing on two motorised speedboats in Malaysian waters when they allegedly crossed into international waters last Sunday.
They were apprehended near Tugayo Hunasan, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, in southern Philippines.
The Philippine National Police Maritime Group, in a statement on Facebook last Sunday, said the Philippine coast guards detained 11 individuals for entering the country's waters illegally from Sabah.
"According to their statements, they were tourists on vacation in Semporna, Sabah, and were allegedly fishing in Malaysian waters when they unintentionally crossed into Philippine territory," it said.
It added that the group's unauthorised entry into Philippine waters was a violation of the country's immigration and maritime laws.
As per standard procedure, the 11 individuals and their vessels were escorted to the headquarters of the 24th Marine Company in Panglima Alari, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.
They were subsequently transferred to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, where they are in the custody of the Immigration Bureau for further investigation and documentation in accordance with legal protocols in the Philippines.