Gabriela files resolution seeking probe into removal of comfort woman statue

The Gabriela Women's Party on Thursday filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the removal of the comfort woman statue along Roxas Boulevard.

In House Resolution 1859, Gabriela Women's Party Representatives Emmi De Jesus and Arlene Brosas directed the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the Department of Public Works and Highways' displacement of the statue to allow its drainage improvement project.

"Historians, comfort women groups and rights advocates said the statue is a fitting reminder for present and future generations of the World War II horrors and abuse experienced by Filipino women under the Japanese occupation," the resolution read.

"Such removal of the statue violates existing laws and blackens the memory of abused comfort women who died without even getting a formal apology from the Japanese government for the historical injustice which they suffered," it added.

In a press conference after the filing, Estelita Dy, a victim of sexual slavery during the Japanese occupation period, tearfully aired her disapproval of the removal of the statue.

"Yung rebulto na tinanggal ay simbolo ng comfort woman para malaman sa buong daigdig na may comfort woman dito sa Pilipinas. Pero pinatanggal ni President [Rodrigo] Duterte. Sumusunod lang siya sa utos ng Hapon," Dy said.

"Matagal naming pinaglalaban ito pero wala siyang tulong. Mabuti pa 'yung mamamayang Hapon, tumutulong sa amin," she added.

Responding to its removal, Duterte said the statue can be placed "somewhere else" so as not to insult Japan.

"You can place it somewhere else. If you want to place in a private property, fine. But do not use... Because that issue for... insofar as I'm concerned, tapos na 'yan," Duterte said in a press conference at Davao International Airport on April 29.

"The Japanese has paid early for that. 'Yung reparation started many years ago. So huwag na lang natin insultuhin. But if there is what you would call a memorial for an injustice committed at one time, it's all right," he added.

De Jesus and Brosas condemned Duterte for such statement.

"The incident also highlights the pressure exerted by Japan for the statue's removal, which is similar to what is being done to carry out the removal of comfort women statues in the US, South Korea and other countries in an attempt to erase Japan's atrocities in history," the resolution read.

"The Philippines is the only country which immediately caved in to the pressure of the Japanese government to remove the memorial honoring the comfort women victims of the Japanese Imperial Army," it added. —KBK, GMA News