KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Immigration Department rescued nine Filipina women in two separate raids in Semporna yesterday.
Its state director Datuk Dr Muhamad Mohamad Amin said all the women involved were rescued in an Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) operation.
He said the raid was carried out at an unnumbered house near Sekolah Kebangsaan Pekan Semporna and another house on the waters in Kampung Terusan Hujung Batu, Pulau Bum-Bum.
"The operation successfully rescued nine female victims aged between 25 and 40.
"In the same operation, we also managed to detain two men and a Filipina woman aged between 28 and 40 who were suspected to be the masterminds," he said in a media statement.
All the Filipina women claimed that they were promised lucrative jobs in the Middle East, particularly in Jordan and Dubai.
Initial investigation found that each victim was charged up to RM13,000 for the alleged service.
The victims have been sent to the Kota Kinabalu Women's Protection Center.
The three members of the human trafficking syndicate were detained at the Papar Immigration Detention Depot.
"All of them will be investigated in accordance with Section 26A of the ATIPSOM 2007.
"If convicted, they can be sentenced to imprisonment of not more than fifteen (15) years or fined or both," he said.
Muhamad Sade said all the victims and suspects arrested would undergo a medical screening process including a Covid-19 screening test.
He said this was to ensure no transmission of the Covid-19 virus before they were sent to the Immigration depot in line with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
He added the department would not compromise and would take appropriate action against any individuals involved in migrant trafficking and smuggling activities.