"Comfort women" wary of Japanese troops in Philippines

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines - A group of Filipino women who were s.e.x slaves for the then Imperial Japanese Army during World War II expressed fear at the arrival Thursday of Japanese troops to help with emergency relief operations on the typhoon-hit island Leyte in the central Philippines.

Pointedly noting their demand for justice for the crimes committed against them seven decades ago remains unsettled, they also expressed fear the abuse they went through may be repeated on the present generation of Filipino women in Leyte.

Richilda Extremadura, executive director of L.ila Pilipina, told Kyodo News by telephone that while they appreciate the kindness of Japan for sympathizing with the victims of supertyphoon Haiyan, the "comfort women" do not welcome the presence of the Japanese troops and their ships.

"We are allergic to them. We all know the Japanese government still owes our lolas (ageing s.e.x slaves). As victims of wartime s.e.xual slavery, the lolas find the presence of Japanese troops a threat to their emotions, and to the present generation, who might experience the abuses again," Extremadura said.

"It"s all the more sensitive for the lolas because Leyte is historical. In fact, many of our members are from Leyte, and (many) have all died without getting justice," she said.

Japan is sending around 1,180 personnel from its Self-Defense Forces to the Philippines to provide medical support, quarantine and transport relief supplies in areas badly hit by Haiyan on Nov. 8.