12 March 2013| last updated at 12:48AM
BAD CONDITIONS: Exodus by boats since security forces began to weed out terrorists
ILLEGAL Filipino immigrants worried about getting picked up by the authorities in the operation to weed out Sulu terrorists have started an exodus back to the Sulu islands.
An estimated 1,000 illegals had fled over the weekend, while yesterday, hundreds were seen flocking to the central market in town as early as 7am.
They were rushing to find seats on boats that would send them back home.
Women and children were seen guarding their bulky belongings while the men dealt with boat owners.
Those who were successful boarded speedboats before going on a kumpit, or a barter trade ship, at Pulau Berhala, near here.
A boatman, Ahmad Ramli, said those seeking to return were not only from here, but also from Kota Kinabalu, Semporna and Tawau.
"Those from other places have to come here as the waters in other districts are being monitored by the authorities."
He said the exodus would continue until next week.
On Sunday, Persatuan Suluk Bersatu Sabah Sandakan division chairman Jamal Ali said many Filipinos, mostly factory workers here, were afraid of the operations conducted by security forces.
However, he denied media allegations in the Philippines that Suluks were being harassed or killed.
Kasmiah Samsul, a mother of a 2-year-old daughter, described the 23-hour journey from here to the Sulu islands as a trip fraught with inconvenience.
"At this time when everyone wants to go back, passengers will be cramped into boats loaded with dry food.
"Throughout the journey, we have to sit and rest on top of the food."
Kasmiah described the sanitary conditions on the boats as poor, based on her experience when she came to Sandakan with her husband three years ago.
Another passenger, who wanted to be known only as Abdullah, 45, said he could not find any boat to take him home on Sunday and yesterday.
"I hope the kumpit will have extra space for my family or else I have to come back again tomorrow.
"The ship's crew refused to take us because we brought along a bed frame, mattresses and 20 boxes."
He said he planned to return for good.
He added that they were charged RM70 per person.
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