‘Comfort women’ statue removed

>> MANILA: A memorial dedicated to Filipino “comfort women” forced to work in Japanese brothels during World War II was removed on Friday night, days after suspicions surfaced about its possible demolition.

The 213cm bronze statue of a blindfolded, early 1900s-era Filipino woman was removed from Roxas Boulevard in Manila by workers leaving behind only debris fenced in by makeshift barriers.

About two weeks ago, a Department of Public Works and Highways backhoe was seen parked beside the memorial, sparking speculation that it was to be demolished.

Local women’s rights organisation Gabriela and cultural group Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran (Unity for Progress) expressed their opposition to removing it on April 18, with both groups vowing to write to the government about the matter.

The term comfort women is a euphemism used to refer to women forced to work in brothels catering to Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Government workers who were interviewed in the area yesterday morning said the memorial was removed so that pipes could be laid underground.

The Japanese Embassy in Manila said the Philippine government had flagged its intention to remove the statue. The embassy had expressed concerns over the statue. In January, Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiko Noda visited Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to express displeasure over the memorial.