Philippines: PHL: Population Movement – 10-2026 – PHL: Returning Filipinos from Sabah (2026-10-29)

Please refer to the attached file. Sources for data marked as Other (1) City Government of Zamboanga: ZC Braces for Arrival of 10K deportees from Malaysia; (2) Philstar: Zamboanga braces for arrival of 10, 000 deportees from Malaysia; (3) Malaymail: Malaysia, Philippines discuss swift repatriation of 5, 000 undocumented migrants detained in Sabah depots Description Malaysian and Philippine officials have been discussing a repatriation of thousands of undocumented Philippine immigrants who have been held in detention centers in Sabah, Malaysia. It was recently decided to start the repatriation of some 10, 000 Filipinos, to be conducted in weekly batches of around 800 people. These Returning Filipino Nationals (RFs) will be received by the City of Zamboanga, which has already requested support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure efficient management of the repatriation. According to the City Government of Zamboanga, the first group of 800 people is expected to arrive on 30th of October, with the subsequent groups arriving every 7 days. Zamboanga City Administrator has tasked the City Engineer’s Office to help in the transport of deportees from the seaport to the Processing Center and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to assist in the profiling of the returnees. The CDRRMO and City Health Office will likewise assist in the conduct of medical check-ups and deployment of ambulances and emergency medical teams. The DSWD has already reached out to the Philippine Red Cross, among other NGOs, with a request of support to ensure safe and dignified treatment of the RFs while the repatriation is ongoing and the people are staying in temporary processing centers. The requested support includes temporary shelters or tents, non-food items, and camp coordination and management support; from PRC, the request specifically lists water bladders, water tanks, hygiene kits, and portable latrines. It should be noted that the situation is still developing and the needs can be updated as everything becomes clearer. Request For Assistance Government Requests International Assistance: No NS Requests International Assistance: No Information Bulletin Published Planned Actions taken by National Society Summary: PRC Zamboanga Chapter is engaged in discussions with the local government, with the support of NHQ. The NHQ is currently preparing a DREF application. Actions taken by Federation Summary: IFRC Country Delegation supports PRC with writing the DREF application, while also monitoring the situation with other NGOs. Actions taken by others Receiving of the RFs is conducted by the City Government of Zamboanga, which has already engaged national agencies and NGOs for their support. They are currently preparing to receive, transport, and temporarily house the RFs while their repatriation is being processed, while also preparing for medical check-ups and other support. Contacts Originator Sharmaine Cruz, IM Technical Officer, MEAL and IM Unit – DMS, sharmaine. cruz@redcross. org. ph, tel: +639493240849 NationalSociety Criselda Longga, Manager, DMS, criselda. longga@redcross. org. ph, tel: +639206182194 Federation Gopal Mukherjee, Program Coordinator, gopal. mukherjee@ifrc. org, tel: +639989606286

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