KOTA BARU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) is waiting for the Philippines Immigration Bureau to carry out its further investigation and documentation on the seven Malaysians detained in the country recently.
Its commander Datuk Victor Sanjos said the Malaysians can be brought back once the investigation and their documentation are completed.
"I was informed that the Philippines authorities are still carrying out their investigation and documentation for the Malaysians.
"The seven will be brought back after the investigation and documentation is completed," he added.
On Sept 4, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government is making efforts to bring back the seven Malaysians detained in the Philippines.
Saifuddin said he was informed about the situation during a briefing with Sanjos recently.
He also said Malaysian authorities were investigating the reason the seven were in Philippine waters.
It was reported that the seven 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 Philippine legal protocols.