Japanese emperor checking on Filipinos hurt in quake

Japanese Emperor Akihito has inquired about the status of the Filipinos who were affected by a magnitude-9 quake and tsunami that devastated Japan's northeast portion last month. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday the Emperor asked about the Filipinos when Philippine Ambassador Manuel Lopez presented his credentials to him on April 7 at the Imperial Palace. "His Majesty the Emperor expressed appreciation for the letter of sympathy of President Benigno S. Aquino III and inquired about Filipinos affected by the earthquake," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website. During the ceremony, Lopez conveyed to the Emperor the sympathies of the Philippine nation for the earthquake which struck Eastern Japan last month. "The Ambassador expressed the solidarity of the Filipino people with the people of Japan, and reiterated the Philippines’ readiness to provide further assistance to the devastated areas," the DFA said. Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Justice of Japan Satsuki Eda and senior officials of the Philippine Embassy including Minister Gina Jamoralin, Minister and Consul General Sulpicio Confiado, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Christian De Jesus, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Hans Mohaimin Siriban, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Bryan Dexter Lao, and Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Inocencio Silbol. Earlier, Philippine officials in Japan confirmed at least two Filipinos died in the wake of the tsunami. – VVP, GMA News