Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 13) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to look into the concerns of Malaya Lolas, a non-profit group composed of women who were sexually abused by Japanese soldiers during World War II.
“I have instructed the relevant Government agencies to look into how we can appropriately address the concerns of the Malaya Lolas,” the Office of the President said in a statement on Saturday.
Marcos said the concerned government agencies are “formulating a comprehensive response” to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (UN CEDAW) to submit within the period required by the committee.
In March, the UN committee, a body of experts that monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, ruled that the Philippines violated the rights of comfort women “by failing to provide reparation, social support and recognition” to the harm they suffered.
It is waiting for the country’s written response within six months, or until September, that would include information on actions taken related to the committee’s views and recommendations on the issue.
“We commit to undertaking measures and finding ways to help them live better lives as an expression of our continued deep solidarity with them and of our outmost respect,” Marcos added.
While the chief executive is promising to uphold human rights and value the well-being of all Filipino women and girls, he said his administration maintains its previous position on the matter.
Two days after the UN body released its decision, Malacañang said the Philippine government recognizes the suffering of the victims, but noted that “some reparations have been made and the Supreme Court has adjudicated on the matter.” It is referring to a reparations agreement in 1956 signed by Manila and Tokyo.
“We honor their indomitable spirit and dignity in taking this important cause forward through these years,” Marcos said in the statement.
But Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla earlier said he would also look into this position.
The Philippines still lacks legislation to act on Filipino comfort women’s claims for the abuses they suffered during World War II.
Remulla previously said the executive will have to ask congressional leaders about passing necessary laws.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution urging the government to “immediately” fulfill its treaty obligations and provide “just and meaningful” reparations to the comfort women and their families.
Romel Bagares, the legal counsel of Malaya Lolas, suggested the issuance of an executive order that would launch the study of a national framework for reparations, or ask Congress to pass a law similar to the reparation for martial law victims.
Over a week after the UN Committee ruling, Hilaria Viray Bustamante, a Filipino comfort woman and one of several plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government in 1993 at a Tokyo district court, passed away still seeking justice, organization Lila Pilipina said on March 21.
