DSWD verifying arrival of 400 more 'evacuees' from Sabah

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is verifying reports that at least 400 more Filipinos fleeing the violence in Sabah arrived in Mindanao Saturday night.

DSWD secretary Corazon Soliman on Sunday cited initial reports reaching her indicating the 400 arrived on Turtle Island, an hour's boat ride from Sandakan in Sabah.

"May pinuntahan ang mga kasamahan ko sa DSWD sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao na nakasakay sa native boat papunta sa Turtle Island," she said in an interview on dzBB radio.

She said the Philippine government maintains a processing center on Turtle Island.

But Soliman said she was hesitant to call some of them "evacuees," which she said is a term that refers to those directly affected.

In the case of the Filipinos fleeing Sabah so far, she said most sought to avoid the violence.

Malaysian security forces had been assaulting Lahad Datu in Sabah to flush out followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who had engaged them in violent clashes since March 1.

"Sila natatakot kung mag-roundup ang Malaysian authorities wala silang papeles... ikukulong sila," Soliman said of the Filipinos who had fled to Mindanao.

Also, Soliman said at least 200 Filipinos have returned to Mindanao since March 6.

For now, she said the DSWD is providing them assistance with food packs. — LBG, GMA News

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