Envoys finally start search for Pinoys in disaster zones By Michaela P. del Callar 03/14/2011

Envoys finally start search for Pinoys in disaster zones

By Michaela P. del Callar 03/14/2011

Philippine Embassy officials in Tokyo finally decided to head out by land to check on the status of Filipinos residing in devastated areas of Japan after Ambassador Manuel Lopez said the condition of 4,500 Filipinos in northern Japan affected by the twin disasters of an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and a resulting tsunami remains unknown.

Lopez said Filipinos in Tokyo, Osaka and the western regions of Japan, far from the epicenter of the earthquake, are relatively safe.

An embassy team from Tokyo traveled by land to the north yesterday to check on the condition of Filipinos there and to extend them assistance following the 8.9 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunamis that hit Japan Friday. Hundreds were feared dead while scores remain missing.

“We are sending a team there to contact local authorities and our own community leaders and to inquire if there are Filipino casualties,” Lopez said. “The embassy’s attention is focused on the 4,500 Filipinos in the northeast region, including Sendai City.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110314hed4.html