One of the two groups representing Filipino women who were victims of sexual abuse during World War II is hopeful of getting justice from Japan after Tokyo last month struck an agreement with South Korea over its "comfort women," according to its members and lawyers.
However, Isabelita Vinuya, 84, president of the Filipino sexual abuse victim group Malaya Lolas (Free Grandmothers), said any success rested with the Philippine government and President Benigno Aquino helping them demand an apology and compensation from the Japanese government. The South Korean government advocated on behalf of South Korean former comfort women.
Comfort women refers to females mostly from Asia who were forced to work in wartime Japanese military brothels. It has remained a sticking point in Japan's relations with a number of other nations.