A TOTAL of 813 illegals, believed to be from the Philippines, have been detained under Ops Benteng in Sabah between May 1 last year and Oct 29 this year, says Datuk Jonathan Yasin.

       The Deputy Home Minister II said the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has taken a comprehensive approach to address the issue of illegal immigrants in the east coast waters.

       “Integrated security operations through Ops Benteng will be strengthened in addition to the implementation of land and sea operations under Operasi Cegah Pati in Kudat, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau.

       “This covers almost all the east coast waters with the usage of assets from various security and defence agencies under Esscom,” he told Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) during Question Time.

       Bung Moktar had asked the ministry to reveal its measures to curb intrusion of illegal immigrants from the Philippines.

       Jonathan also said there are more than 304 assets from various security agencies deployed in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).