Malaya Lolas

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Malaya Lolas

Formation 1997; 22 years ago

Founder Isabelita Vinuya

Founded at Pampanga

Purpose Campaign for justice for former Filipino

"comfort women"

 Pampanga, Philippines
Location

Membership (2014) ~30

The Malaya Lolas (lit. Free Grandmothers)[further explanation needed] are an organization based
in Pampanga, Philippines composed of people who were formerly "comfort women" or victims of
sexual slavery by the Japanese imperial army during the Japanese occupation of the
Philippines during World War II.[1]

History[edit]
The history of the Malaya Lolas goes back to the Japanese occupation of the
Philippines during World War II. The members of the group are mainly women who were gathered
by Japanese Imperial Army soldiers from the town of Mapanique and was interred at the Bahay na
Pula to be raped.[2]
The Malaya Lolas were established in 1997 and initially had 90 members.[1] Some of the women's
husbands, sons, and other male relatives and acquaintances who were victims of war crimes are
also members of the group.[2]
By 2014 it already had about 30 members due to deaths of its members.[1]

Legal cases[edit]
The Malaya Lolas filed a suit demanding reparation from the Japanese government under Japanese
courts but this was dismissed since they did not have legal personality to sue under international law
and was told that the group's claims must have sponsorship of the Philippine government.[2]
The organization then having more than 70 members filed a case before the Supreme Court in
March 2004. They said that the Philippine government violated its legal obligation to deal with cases
of crimes against humanity, when certain government officials did not support them in their
complaints against the Japanese government before the International Court of Justice and other
international courts. They urged the court to hold these officials accountable for abuse of discretion.
The group also branded the Philippine government's acceptance of Japan's apologies and its
acceptance of monetary payment from the Japanese-financed Asian Women's Fund as contrary to
international law.[1]
The court ruled to dismiss the case in 2010, and a motion for reconsideration was filed by the
group's legal team. The court reaffirmed its decision in 2014. It argued that the case is a diplomatic
matter and should be handled by the executive branch.[1]