Former 'comfort women' protest in silence

MANILA--Former "comfort women" of the Japanese military who are demanding compensation for their wartime suffering held a silent protest Tuesday over a ruling by the Philippines' top court.

The eight women, who are all aged around 80, and their supporters held candles in front of the Supreme Court.

In late April, the court ruled against 70 women seeking compensation from the Japanese government for having been forced to provide sex for Japanese soldiers in the Philippines.

The court said the issue concerns the country's diplomatic relations and is not one for a court to intervene.

The suit was filed after those women lost a similar court battle in Japan.

Japan's top court rejected their appeal in 2003, finalizing a lower court decision to dismiss their demands.

One of the women, 79, from Samar Island in the central Philippines, called on the new administration of President Benigno Aquino, which will be formed June 30, to address their pleas. Citing the age of the plaintiffs, she said they are running out of time.