PHL post assures Pinoys in Japan: We are staying

The Philippine Embassy in Japan has assured Filipinos in the disaster-ravaged country that its officials are not leaving Tokyo and will continue to assist them in the ongoing radioactive contamination, even as other foreign embassies there have pulled out of the Japanese capital. In a release, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said he and his staff are staying put to continue extending assistance to Filipinos there, in the aftermath of the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan on March 11 followed by a nuclear accident. “We are staying. The Philippine Embassy is open and will remain open to serve the needs of our people here in Japan, especially those affected by the disaster," Lopez said. Lopez’ declaration came after Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that at least 25 embassies have either temporarily shut down their operations or have moved to areas outside of Tokyo. Lopez added that no one from the Philippine Embassy’s staff have sought permission to leave the capital. “As a matter of fact, embassy personnel who are on vacation in the Philippines have been instructed to return," he said. At least five countries from Europe, 14 from Africa and four from Latin America have either closed their embassies or transferred their offices to other areas such as Osaka, Hiroshima and Kobe, according to Japan’s foreign ministry. As this developed, the Embassy reiterated its request for information from anyone who may have Filipino relatives there whom they have not been able to contact since the massive earthquake. The Embassy said it is coordinating with the Japanese government to request for information on Filipinos living in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. Those who are unable to get in touch with their Filipino relatives in the said regions are advised to download the Embassy’s Safety Confirmation Form, and fill out the requested information in Katakana, Hiragana or Kanji. The form can be faxed to (03)5562-1603 or scanned and sent to emergency@philembassy.net. The Embassy said at least 208 Filipinos in the Miyagi Prefecture have been confirmed safe as of March 23 after getting in touch with them.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMA News