15 June 2012 – The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that its Consular Mobile Teams in Kota Kinabalu is conducting field missions in Sandakan and Lahad Datu.

The Kota Kinabalu team is currently in Sandakan until June 16 (Saturday). It will then proceed to Lahad Datu on June 17 (Sunday) and will remain there until June 26 (Monday).

Another Consular Mobile Team is in Tawau and is also receiving passport applications. The team holds offices at Tb 544, Lot No. 6, Block A, 1st Floor, Tacoln Commercial Complex 91000 Tawau (opposite Grace Junction Fajar) with office number (089) 753 650, mobile number +6011 14877413, and fax number (089) 765 696.

Both mobile teams will wind down its operations at the end of this month.

Because of this, the Embassy is requesting all Filipinos in Sabah, particularly those in the agricultural and palm oil plantations sector and their dependents, to avail of the services of the Consular Mobile Teams.

"Since the teams are about to end its operations, we again ask our nationals to take advantage of the opportunity and the convenience of applying for their passports while there are teams nearby, instead of them going to the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, which is a three-hour plane ride away," Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said.

"We also ask our nationals to avail of the services provided by the Consular Mobile Teams to get their passports, which is one of the documentary requirements for the possible legalization of their stay," he added.

To facilitate the application of the Filipino nationals, the Embassy and the team has made arrangements with their employers to streamline the requirements for passport applications.

Earlier, the Embassy has dispatched two Consular Mobile Teams in the capital of Kota Kinabalu and in the eastern town of Tawau to intensify its campaign to deliver consular services to Filipinos in Sabah. The teams commenced its operations on January 9. END