Crackdown on Pinoys in Malaysia

Amid the scheduled two-day trip of Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III to Malaysia, reports are coming out from that neighboring country on persistent crackdown by Malaysian authorities on thousands of Filipinos staying there, especially Sabah which is historically a Philippine territory and which has the biggest concentration of Filipinos. The latest reports stated that some 100,000 Filipinos have been arrested by Malaysian authorities and deported to the Philippines since Kuala Lumpur stated its crackdown on undocumented foreigners.
Instead of expressing concern over the difficulties of the Filipinos, it is surprising that Malacanang immediately disputed the reports without first conducting an investigation to verify them, relying only on the reports provided by the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur. At the same time, President Aquino ruled out bringing up the matter with the authorities when he visits Malaysia. The President added that he has not received any proof that Filipinos’ rights were violated in the deportation process The Department of Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, said it was still trying to verify the figures on the Filipino deportees. Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Edgardo Malaya confirmed the crackdown on Filipinos and other foreigners but said Filipinos are not being targeted as the Malaysian government carries out a crackdown on illegal immigrants. This is in stark contrast with the statement of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional executive secretary Laisa Alamia who reported the 100,000 figure, adding that the deportees were staying in crowded schools that have been turned into evacuation centers in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. A DZRH broadcaster even reported that his brother was one of the Filipinos maltreated by immigration authorities in Malaysia.. 
It is understandable that Malaysia is helping broker peace between the Philippine government and the Muslim rebels of Mindanao. But Mr. Aquino’s attitude and failure to act and assist the distressed Filipinos was being made at the expense of the Filipino people, especially the Sultanate of Sulu and the people of Mindanao, who have legitimate and historical claims over rich Sabah. Has Mr. Aquino compromised peace with the dismembering of Philippine territory? The government should be transparent in all its dealings with the Malaysian government. Kuala Lumpur should also be open and not deal with the Philippines with a hidden agenda. The 700,000 Filipinos who reside and work in Malaysia should unite and report the abuses of Malaysian authorities and the Philippine government should promptly act on them.