Former comfort women protest at Japanese embassy in Philippines

MANILA -- Former Filipino comfort women, their children and grandchildren staged a protest in front of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines on Friday, demanding recognition and compensation from the Japanese government for sexual slavery its soldiers committed in World War II.

Some 40 people from Lila Pilipina, an organization of former Filipino comfort women, participated in the protest. They brought pictures of their deceased members, displayed placards with words such as "we were raped" and "we want justice" on them, and took turns telling their own stories.

"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to give a speech today to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Much as we hope he will include an apology to all victims of wartime sexual slavery, his recent pronouncements indicate that he will again forego such apology," said Rechilda Extremadura, executive of Lila Pilipina.

She said Filipino comfort women are still waiting for the peace of mind that will only come with Japan's acknowledgment.

Extremadura added that the group are reiterating the urgency of recognition because the elderly fear they will not live long enough to witness justice being served.

"Only a few of us remain to continue the fight. Many have died without the taste of justice," said Lola Estelita, now 85 years old.

Estelita was only a teenager when she was forced into wartime sexual slavery.

"After three generations, we are still fighting and demanding apology," she said.

Extremadura also wished the Philippine government to take action on the issue instead of sitting there and doing nothing.

"Aquino has met with Prime Minister Abe on several occasions and he could have taken those opportunities to put forward the cause of comfort women," she said.

"But he said nothing, not a single word about comfort women," she added.