44 repatriated Pinoys arrive from Japan

MANILA, Philippines -  A group of Filipinas and their children who were repatriated from Japan after the Philippine government adopted a policy for Filipinos living within the 100-kilometer radius of the Fukushima power plant yesterday arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

Twenty-five of the 44 were minors. The Philippine embassy repatriation team in Tokyo fetched them from Fukushima City on April 16. From there they were brought to Narita, while embassy staff arranged for their overnight stay.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez, who arrived with the group, said that some 2,000 Filipinos live within the 100-kilometer radius of the nuclear power plant and most of them are long-term residents in the area. They are spouses and children of Japanese nationals.

The Philippines made possible the repatriation policy in line with its contingency plan and the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) mandate of promoting the welfare of Filipino nationals abroad.

Marianne Shike, 44, and her six-year-old son Shikesota were among those who arrived. She said her husband told her to go back to the Philippines for the meantime because he was afraid for their safety.

Evangeline Machikachi, 37, who is married to a Japanese club owner, brought her two kids with her after her husband decided to send her back home. She said they will stay here for two months and will go back to Japan if the situation becomes stable.