MANILA -- A small boat carrying 19 evacuees from Sabah arrived in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi Tuesday.

The evacuees sailed from Taganak Island to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Authorities said around 300 evacuees on board the Philippine Navy Ship BRP Sultan Kudarat are also expected to arrive from Taganak today.

Officials said more evacuees are still expected to leave Sandakan, Sabah.

They said almost 1,000 Filipinos who fled Sabah are now on Taganak Island.

Over 2,500 evacuees have returned to Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu since the conflict in Sabah started last February.