By Michaela del Callar
MANILA, July 8 (PNA) -– Philippine officials in Japan are on alert to assist Filipinos who may be affected by the onslaught of super typhoon Neoguri.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippine embassy in Tokyo and its consulate general in Osaka are closely monitoring the situation.
“Our posts are on standby to respond to distress calls from our kababayans,” Jose said.
About 80,600 Filipinos in Japan reside in areas that are in the storm’s direct path, with 1,600 in Osaka and 79,000 in Western Japan.
“The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Consulate General in Osaka reiterated their advice to Filipinos, especially those who reside in the direct path of the typhoon, to make the necessary preparations and follow the safety precautions issued by the Japanese government,” Jose said.
Emergency hotline numbers are posted at the Philippine embassy in Tokyo’s website for easy reference, Jose said.
Neoguri is said to be the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in decades. Nearly 500,000 people living in coastal communities have already been evacuated, reports said. (PNA)