Filipino 'comfort woman,' Lola Hilaria dies at 97

One of the Filipino "comfort women" during the Japanese occupation passed away over the weekend while continuing to fight for justice.

Lola Hilaria Viray Bustamante died on the evening of March 18, 2023 in the company of her family.  She was 97.

The announcement was made by LILA (Liga Para sa mga Lolang Pilipina) Pilipina in a social media post.  

"Lola Hilaria was one of several plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government in 1993 at a Tokyo District Court. The Japanese Supreme Court dismissed the case several years after but Lola Hilaria continued in the fight for justice until her very old age," LILA Pilipina said.

"Rest now, Lola Hilaria. Your legacy of courage and resistance will live on," said the group which helps comfort women and their families seek recognition, apology, and retribution from the Japanese government.

Early this month, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) said the Philippines violated the rights of victims of sexual slavery committed by the Japanese Army in World War II.

The United Nations committee recommended that the complainants receive from the State party "full reparation, including recognition and redress, an official apology and material and moral damages."

The Commission on Human Rights called on the government to provide full reparations and seek an apology from the Japanese government for the suffering inflicted by Japanese soldiers on Filipina “comfort women” during World War II.—LDF, GMA Integrated News