Critics say Japan’s failure to fully atone for wartime sex slavery is a recurring source of diplomatic tensions between South Korea, the Philippines, China and countries like the United States and Germany that support the cause of comfort women. Tokyo has also been accused of deflecting any criticism on the issue through a steady flow of development funds to governments.“I wanted to fight back, I wanted to avenge her.”
Portraits of former Filipino comfort women are displayed in the office of Lila Pilipina in Manila. PHOTO COURTESY OF LILA PILIPINA.
LILA PILIPINA LED BY NENITA ESCOBEDO (FAR RIGHT) VISITS TWO FORMER COMFORT WOMEN AND HANDED THEM FOOD GIFTS DURING THE PANDEMIC. PHOTO COURTESY OF LILA PILIPINA
‘Atoning for sins’
This combo shows file photos of former World War II "comfort women" from Taiwan (top L), Indonesia (top R), South Korea (bottom L) and the Philippines (bottom R) taking part in various protests in the past few years calling for compensation and an apology from the Japanese government. PHOTO: AFP PHOTO / FILES
The Japanese embassy in the Philippines did not immediately return requests for comment, but previous attempts to press cases were thrown out by Japanese courts. Today, plaintiffs are studying legal options to try again, even as the pandemic adds more delays and fears that they won’t live to see justice done.“Our lolas are old and dying. We are just trying to survive this pandemic. When it is over, we will all come out and fight again,” Cabusao-Silva said.“It’s time for them to atone for their sins.”
Protests and friendship
BEFORE: In January 2018 a horse drawn carriage passes a memorial statue for World War II "comfort women" who were made sex slaves for Japanese imperial troops during the conflict. The Philippine government was left in an awkward position after Japan criticized the trade partner and key aid recipient for authorizing a World War II sex slave memorial near the Japanese embassy in Manila. PHOTO: NOEL CELIS / AFP
AFTER: This photo taken on April 28, 2018 shows a backhoe at the site where a memorial statue for World War II "comfort women" once stood in Manila. PHOTO: NOEL CELIS / AFP
