Charges mulled over missing ‘comfort woman’ statue

MANILA, Philippines — A bronze statue made in honor of Filipina sex slaves during the World War II has been missing for over a week, prompting rights groups to consider filing estafa charges against the sculptor.

Kaisa sa Kaunlaran co-founder Teresita Ang See said that for P1 million, the Tulay Foundation commissioned sculptor Jonas Roces to curve a seven-foot bronze statue of a woman in a blindfold and veil, to honor the Filipina sex slaves.

The statue, which was removed last year from Roxas Boulevard on request of the government of Japan, was supposed to be installed in Baclaran Church last Sunday.

The statue has been placed under the care of the sculptor since its removal from the Baywalk.

After weeks of preparations and payment of P50,000 for the transfer, Ang See said Roces failed to install the statue in Baclaran.

She said Roces told them the statue was stolen from his home by unidentified men.

“He has not filed a complaint or recorded the incident in the barangay blotter. We have no choice but to consider estafa,” Ang See said.

She said Roces initially told the group that  people from the Manila city hall took the statue away.

Roces changed his statement after Ang See told him she would call Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to ask about the matter.

“He disappeared. He refused to take our calls. He is scared of his own shadows. He is scared about ‘those’ threatening him. When asked who’s threatening him, he refused to divulge,” Ang See said.