2 more buses to fetch Pinoys in Fukushima

MANILA, Philippines – Two more buses will be deployed to pick up Filipinos affected by the strong earthquake and nuclear radiation crisis in Fukushima, Japan.

“The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo has decided just now to send 2 more buses to fetch Filipinos in the Fukushima area. They are expecting to reach out to 100 to 120 Pinoys,” ABS-CBN's Alvin Elchico said told ANC's Dateline Philippines on Thursday.

Elchico said the announcement was made by Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manolo Lopez.

Filipinos who will decide to board the bus will be temporarily housed at the Lighthouse Ministry in Yokohama City and at the Franciscan Church in Roppongi in Tokyo.

“Two more buses will leave 2 p.m. (1 p.m. Manila time) to fetch 100 to 120 more Filipinos,” he reported.

The embassy is also prepared to send more buses should the need arise.

“When we asked about Sendai, the ambassador and his team said that the priority right now is the Filipinos in Fukushima who are in danger of being exposed to radiation,” he said.

On Wednesday, 42 Filipinos onboard a bus sent by the embassy arrived in Tokyo from Sendai. They are now staying at a Catholic Church in Kichijogi. (report from Alvin Elchico, ABS-CBN News)