2 Filipinos killed in Japan disaster

MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - Two Filipinos were killed in the magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last March 11, authorities said on Monday.

As of posting time, the names of the victims, a woman and her child, had not yet been released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a press conference in Tokyo, DFA officials said the Philippine government will need more than P3 billion to evacuate around 300,000 Filipinos in the country.

"That's probably more than the budget of the department," said DFA Undersecretary for Special Concerns Jose Brillantes.

Forced evacuation will be implemented only if the situation reaches alert level 3, according to authorities.

The Philippine Embassy said it still has enough funds to meet the evacuees’ current needs.

Filipinos from Fukushima and Miyagi cried as they were brought to shelters by DFA and embassy officials.

Fifteen people were rescued in Fukushima out of the 60 who said they wanted help.

In Iwaki City, none appeared in the designated pick-up point.

Meanwhile, 27 people were rescued in Sendai.

A total of 143 Filipinos were rescued and brought to 2 evacuation centers.

Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said the evacuees, particularly those from Fukushima, underwent radiation tests.

Some tested positive for minimal radiation, which is not dangerous, according to authorities.

“None of them showed any significant radiation levels. We're not too concerned about that,” Lopez said.

He also allayed fears that the radiation will reach the Philippines.

The Japanese government has already advised people in the country to avoid drinking milk and eating spinach from Fukushima, as well as refrain from drinking tap water because of radiation concerns. – Report from Alvin Elchico, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipinos were killed in the magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last March 11, authorities said on Monday.

As of posting time, the names of the victims had not yet been released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). 

In a press conference in Tokyo, DFA officials said the Philippine government will need more than P3 billion to evacuate around 300,000 Filipinos in the country. - Report from Alvin Elchico, ABS-CBN News