The Philippine Embassy in Japan will “continue to persist” in obtaining information from the Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Japan Airlines (JAL) if there were Filipinos aboard the plane that collided with another aircraft and burst into flames upon landing.
This photo provided by Jiji Press shows a Japan Airlines plane on fire on a runway of Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Jan. 2, 2024. A Japan Airlines plane was in flames on the runway of Tokyo's Haneda Airport after apparently colliding with a coast guard aircraft. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP)
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano told CNN Philippines’ “The Source” on Wednesday, Jan. 3, that due to “privacy issues,” JAL and the Haneda Airport police are unable to release information about the 379 passengers aboard the flight.
“Actually, we have not been able to get that information despite persistent efforts to reach out to Japan Airlines and Haneda Airport police,” she said.
While they “continue to persist” in getting such information, the envoy shared that the embassy started calling again on Wednesday morning, “in the hopes that we can get information.”
Albano expressed concern that if there were Filipinos among the passengers, who were all safely evacuated from the plane, they may need travel documents in case they weren’t able to save their belongings.
She also assured that if there were affected Filipinos, the embassy is ready to extend assistance and that they can be reached via their website, hotline numbers, and social media accounts.
“Our Assistance to National Unit and our Migrant Workers Office are ready and willing to assist in any we can,” the ambassador added.
Albano cited reports of the 379 passengers on board the flight, 14 sustained minor injuries.
JAL flight 516 collided with a second aircraft, operated by the Japan Coast Guard, on Tuesday night, and subsequently burst into flames. While all passengers were safely evacuated from the plane, five people were killed in the second aircraft reportedly carrying earthquake relief supplies.
According to a statement from JAL, its aircraft was cleared to land by air traffic control but collided with the Japan Coast Guard aircraft after landing.
After the plane caught fire, passengers used the emergency slides to flee from the blaze. More than 100 firetrucks were reportedly dispatched to respond to the accident.