Senator Risa Hontiveros reiterated her call for “just and meaningful” reparations for Filipino comfort women and their families.
She stressed that time is running out for the Philippine government to seek redress for and recognize the few remaining members of the Malaya Lolas.
Hontiveros made this appeal following her meeting with the nonprofit organization Malaya Lolas, which is composed of Filipino survivors of sex slavery.
She said only 18 Malaya Lolas are still living.
“They cannot wait any longer,” Hontiveros said. “President Marcos and the entire administration must make good on their promise to extend aid and assistance to them. The government should not let them die without getting justice for them,” she said.
Hontiveros also visited Bahay na Pula, which was used by the Japanese Imperial Army to perpetrate sexual violence.
“Bahay na Pula has been torn down, leaving only its foundation behind. I hope this can be undone. Sana i-rebuild ito at gawing memorial site para sa lahat ng victim-survivors ng wartime sexual violence,” she said.
Hontiveros — who has authored laws against sexual violence, abuse, and exploitation — has filed Senate Resolution No. 539, which urges the government to ensure just and meaningful reparations are given to Filipino comfort women and their families after the Philippines was called out by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
The UN panel said the Philippines failed to fulfill its treaty obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women by not seeking redress for comfort women.