House Independent Bloc and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday called on President Benigno Aquino III to make the issue of providing justice to Filipinas who mere made sex slaves during World War II a top priority in the last six months of his administration as “malasakit” (compassion) to them when he meets with Japanese Emperor Akihito during his scheduled visit to the country early next year.
“President Aquino should realize the importance of this meeting because it would be the first and only chance that he could have as the leader [of our country] in which he could directly bring the cause of our comfort women before Emperor Akihito” said Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa).
Romualdez, head of the House Independent Bloc, issued the statement following a Malacañang announcement that Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko will conduct a state visit to the Philippines from Jan. 26 to 30 next year supposedly in response to Aquino’s invitation.
“It is important for President Aquino to seize the moment. Seventy-four years had gone but justice remains elusive for those comfort women who suffered a lot of physical and sexual abuses from Japanese invaders during the 2nd World War,” Romualdez said.
“Therefore it is about time that justice be given to them [comfort women] and there is no one who could decide on that matter judiciously and expeditiously but the occupant of the Chrysanthemum Throne who is none other but Emperor Akihito” Romualdez said.
This developed as various women’s groups accused the Aquino administration of lacking the political will to assert justice for the comfort women who were turned into sex slaves by Japanese soldiers.
Rechilda Extremadura, executive director of Lila Pilipina, an organization of former Filipino comfort women said President Aquino had the opportunity to bring up the issue with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet in Manila but opted not to delve on the matter.
During the bilateral meeting, the Philippines and Japan agreed on various issues such as on social security and rail project and an increased in defense partnership but nothing was discussed about the plight of the comfort women.
“We can forgive but we can never forget as long as there is one remaining lola who, in her twilight years, continues to suffer from the sexual abuse she experienced during the war,” Extremadura said.
The highlight of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko’s visit will be the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Japan in 2016.
The two Majesties last visited the Philippines in 1962 when they were then the Crowned Prince and Princess.
“While I understand that this state visit is expected to deepen and expand bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan, still it would make greater historical significance if President Aquino could strike a commitment from Emperor Akihito to render justice to the victims of Japanese atrocities especially the comfort women” Romualdez stressed.