Ni Charissa M. Luci-Atienza
Inihayag kahapon ng mga babaeng mambabatas na kailangang pagtuunan ng Kongreso ang pagtanggal sa rebulto ng comfort woman sa Roxas Blvd., Maynila.
Sinabi nina Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas at Emmi de Jesus na maghahain sila ng resolusyon upang tingnan ng Kongreso ang nasabing insidente.
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“We denounce the sneaky, ‘ninja’ removal of the statue as such move points to the obliteration of Japan’s gross and systemic sexual abuse of Filipino women in our history. Such is a shameful hallmark of a foreign policy that kowtows to foreign powers but treats foreign rights advocates like Sr. Patricia Fox harshly,” pahayag ni Brosas.
Dagdag pa niya, “We will file a House resolution to push a probe as to who are behind this cowardly act. We are not buying the excuse that the removal of the statue was done to give way to a drainage improvement project.”
“Why should we be the one to adjust just so we don’t piss off Japan? The comfort woman statue was erected along Roxas Blvd. precisely to remind future generations and the public of what Filipina sex slaves went through under Japanese occupation. It was not meant for private viewing,” tugon pa ni Brosas nang tanungin tungkol sa depensa ni Pangulong Duterte sa isyu.
Iginiit ni Brosas na tinanggal ang rebulto base sa mababaw na dahilan.
“So-called reparations form just one aspect of the demands of abused Filipinas. We need to address the historical injustice against them and counter Japan’s revisionist take on WWII history. We need to recognize their long struggle for justice and accountability. The statue serves that purpose, “aniya.
Ipinagdiinan naman ni De Jesus na kailangang magpasiya ng Kongreso kung may pananagutan ang mga opisyal ng Manila City Hall at iba pang ahensya sa insidente.
“Why was the removal done in the night, apparently with the permission of the local government? Was the National Historical Commission properly notified? Dapat may managot sa ganitong pagyurak sa alaala ng lahat ng kababaihang biktima ng sex slavery,” ani De Jesus.
Ayon pa sa kanya, insulto sa mga babaeng biktima ng pang-aabuso noong panahon ng Hapon ang ginawang pagtanggal sa rebulto na hanggang sa ngayo’y di pa nakakamit ang katarungan.
“Quite ironically, Japan boasts of its mega-infrastructure urban landscapes but scurries away upon the sight of any concrete reminder of its atrocities and abuse against women,” pahayag ni De Jesus.
