'Comfort women' picket Japan Embassy in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Members of human-rights group Amnesty International and some "comfort women" picketed in front of the Japanese embassy Monday to seek anew reparation from the Japanese government. Radio dzBB's Manny Vargas quoted Amnesty International - Philippines director Aurora Parong as saying the suffering imposed upon the so-called comfort women during World War II should be publicly acknowledged. Up to now the Japanese government has not publicly apologized for the treatment of "comfort women" during the war, Parong said. The AI official added that the women deserve to be given reparation. Aside from picketing, the group also handed to embassy officials a letter containing their grievances, the report said. Hundreds of Filipino women were among thousands who claimed they were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial army during World War II. Their protest on Monday came amid the celebration of International Women's Month. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV