Philippine Embassy and Japanese Government Expert Hold Forum for Filipinos on Protecting Against Missile Attacks
Over a hundred Filipinos attended a “Civil Protection Forum” hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo last 8 September with Japan’s Cabinet Secretariat to discuss the system put in place by the Government of Japan across the country to protect civilians against missile- and other armed attacks and secure their welfare in the aftermath of such contingencies.
Japanese Government expert Mr. Hokuto Asano explains Japan’s civil protection system for missile and armed attacks to the Filipino community (Photo: Tokyo PE/Mark Akim).
A Filipino audience member poses a question to the speakers. (Photo: Tokyo PE/Mark Akim)
Mr. Hokuta Asano, official of the Japanese Government’s Cabinet Secretariat in charge of National Security Affairs and Crisis Management, delivered a presentation on Japan’s response system to armed attacks, ranging from the issuance and dissemination of emergency alerts, to the process of citizen evacuation, up to the provision of emergency relief assistance to evacuees. Mr. Asano also shared safety tips and measures that individual citizens and their families should take in the event of, or to prepare for, such contingencies.
An active and engaging open forum followed, during which members of the Filipino audience registered their concerns over recent developments and posed questions to Mr. Hosono, who provided clear and reassuring replies. The Forum also proved to be a valuable opportunity for the Filipino community, as the third largest foreign population in Japan, to offer suggestions as to how the Japanese Government could address the particular needs of Japan’s large foreign community, in times of emergencies.
Also fielding queries was Mr. Frank Campos of the Network of Filipino Social Development Workers in Japan (NETFIL), a Filipino community organization which had adopted disaster preparedness among its advocacies.
The Forum was organized by the Embassy in response to ongoing developments in the Korean peninsula, in particular North Korea’s recent salvo of ballistic missile tests, including one that flew over Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido last August 29. The gathering was also in keeping with the Embassy’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipinos in Japan and complementing the Japanese Government’s comprehensive blueprint for addressing natural and man-made contingencies.
Consul General Tirol-Ignacio opens the Forum. (Photo: Tokyo PE/Mark Akim)
“This Forum is part of the Philippine Embassy’s continuing efforts to prepare and assist Filipinos in times of emergency. It is intended to provide both information and clarification”, explained Consul General Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio as she opened the proceedings. “Assistance must be integrated – from an individual and a community’s preparedness before and within the first 72 hours of disaster. to the preparedness of the Japanese Government, to the preparedness of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka.” She encouraged Filipinos to register with the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General and to update their registration profiles as needed, to enable the Embassy to confirm their condition and safety during emergencies.
Deputy Chief of Mission Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, for his part, reassured the public about the readiness of the Embassy and the Consulate General to put in effect their respective contingency plans to assist Filipino nationals during major emergencies. The Embassy also emphasized the complementary and supporting role of these Philippine missions during such contingencies, and reminded Filipinos to lend their full compliance to emergency directives issued by national and local Japanese officials in anticipation, or in the wake of, armed attacks and disasters.
Emphasizing the country-team approach of the Philippine Government to assisting Filipino nationals in Japan, Consul Patrick John U. Hilado represented the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka at the Forum.
Ambassador Laurel presents certificates of appreciation to Mr. Asano and the members of NETFIL for sharing their knowledge and valuable advice at the Forum. (Photo: Tokyo PE/Mark Akim)
Certificates of Appreciation were presented by Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V to Mr. Hosono and NETFIL at the conclusion of the event. “I wish to assure our countrymen in Japan of the readiness of our Embassy and our Consulate General to respond to contingencies in cooperation with the Government of Japan and other partners. Kami po ay naririto upang tiyakin ang inyong kalagayan at kaligtasan”, said Ambassador Laurel as he addressed attendees and members of the media as the Forum drew to a close.
Copies of the 2015 joint Philippine Embassy-NETFIL publication “Paghahanda sa Kalamidad: Gabay Para sa Mga Lider ng Komunidad”, together with the Japanese Government handbook “Protecting Ourselves Against Armed Attacks and Terrorism” were also distributed to attendees. END
For more information, contact: The Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo <phjp@DELETEgol.com> or visit <http://tokyo.philembassy.net/> and <www.dfa.gov.ph>
* * *
USEFUL RESOURCES AND LINKS:
(Government of Japan)
“Protecting Ourselves Against Armed Attacks and Terrorism” (Downloadable Japanese Government Handbook)
http://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/en/pdf/protecting.pdf
Japanese Government Civil Protection site:
http://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/en/pc-index_e.html
(Government of the Philippines)
On-line Registration of Filipinos at the Philippine Embassy-Tokyo:
http://tokyo.philembassy.net/register/
Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo:
Web: https://tokyo.philembassy.net/
Email: consular@DELETEphilembassy.net
atn@DELETEphilembassy.net
Tel.: (+81) 80-4928-7979 [Emergency contact number]
Philippine Embassy Advisory on Preparing for Armed Attack Contingencies:
http://tokyo.philembassy.net/01announcements/mga-paalala-sa-gitna-ng-pagkabahala-sa-sunod-sunod-na-pagpapailanglang-ng-misayl-ng-north-korea/
Consulate General of the Philippines in Osaka:
Web: http://osakapcg.dfa.gov.ph/
Email: osaka.pcg@dfa.gov.ph
Tel. (+81) 90-4036-7984 [Emergency contact number]
