Cebu among six areas of JFC concentration

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is one of the six identified places across the country where there is a concentration of Japanese-Filipino Children (JFC) according to a Japanese human rights lawyers association.

Japanese Lawyers International Solidarity Association (JALISA) identified the areas which include Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Manila, Negros, and Davao. A study done by the Japan Bar Association revealed that there are at least 100,000 JFCs across the Philippines.

In Cebu area alone, the JFC concentration is in Lapu-Lapu City and Bantayan Island according to Migrante International - Central Visayas Coordinator Connie Regalado.

Butch Pungos of Migrante International said that most of the JFCs are “abandoned and neglected.”

JALISA and Migrante International partnered to help JFCs who wish to be recognized by their Japanese parent through the Japan Family Reunification Project (JFRP). In effect, the children may receive financial support and a Japanese citizenship.

Last April 27 and 28, a team of five Japanese human rights lawyers gave free legal consultation in Cebu to at least 40 JFCs who hope to gain support from their fathers or migrate to Japan.

The group of lawyers held a similar activity in Manila last April 25 and extended it for another day. JFRP have extended legal consultations to a total of 80 JFCs.

Lawyer Yayoi Hasegawa of JALISA explained that there is a need for them to help the JFC before they reach legal age. She explained that under the Japanese law, a person with a Japanese bloodline can only claim his citizenship before he turns 20.

Pungos added that there are proposed measures now for the Japanese government to lower the age from 20 years old to 18. Both JALISA and Migrante International - Japan representatives agreed that this proposition is “discriminatory.”

“Once you have a Japanese blood, you will always have it in you regardless of age,” Pungos said.

With these developments, he said that there is a need to lobby for the protection of the rights of the JFCs in both Japanese and Philippine governments.

“This is not just a personal problem. This is a social issue,” Pungos emphasized.

After four consecutive days of legal consultations, the team is set to return to Japan to evaluate the results of their four-day expedition in the Philippines.

They are hoping to expand their operations in the coming years. After Manila and Cebu, the team set their eyes on the other areas where the JFCs are concentrated. (FREEMAN)