Family members of Filipino "comfort women" victims held a protest on Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Wednesday, demanding that the Japanese government apologize for the wartime atrocities committed against their loved ones.
In 2012, the day of Aug 14 was designated the International Memorial Day for "Comfort Women" by the 11th Asian Alliance Conference for "Comfort Women."
This year, on the somber date, victims' family members carried photos of their deceased relatives, calling for justice for the "Lolas," a Tagalog word that means grandmother, referring to the elderly women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops during World War II.
"Our demand remains as justice should be rendered in the form of an official public apology from the Japanese government, and second the official reparations that should have been paid a long time ago by the Japanese government," said Sharon Silva, coordinator of non-profit organization "Lila Pilipina" (League of Filipino Grandmother).
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, more than 1,000 women were forcibly recruited as "comfort women." Today, only a handful of aging Filipino survivors remain, having never received a formal apology from the Japanese government. Even local comfort women memorial statues have been removed under pressure from Japan.
The victims' families cried out that the crimes committed by Japan during WWII must not be forgotten, and the horrors of war should never be borne again.
Families of "comfort women" victims demand formal apology from Japanese government
