<DOC>
[110 Senate Hearings]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID: f:35645.wais]
S. Hrg. 110-70
HEARING ON THE FILIPINO VETERANS
EQUITY ACT OF 2007
=======================================================================
HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
APRIL 11, 2007
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/
senate
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COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii, Chairman
John D. Rockefeller IV, West Larry E. Craig, Idaho, Ranking
Virginia Member
Patty Murray, Washington Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania
Barack Obama, Illinois Richard M. Burr, North Carolina
Bernard Sanders, (I) Vermont Johnny Isakson, Georgia
Sherrod Brown, Ohio Lindsey O. Graham, South Carolina
Jim Webb, Virginia Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas
Jon Tester, Montana John Ensign, Nevada
William E. Brew, Staff Director
Lupe Wissel, Republican Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
----------
April 11, 2007
SENATORS
Page
Akaka, Hon. Daniel K., Chairman, U.S. Senator from Hawaii........ 1
Prepared statement........................................... 5
Inouye, Hon. Daniel K., U.S. Senator from Hawaii................. 1
Craig, Hon. Larry E., Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from Idaho.... 5
Murray, Hon. Patty, U.S. Senator from Washington................. 18
WITNESSES
Gaa, Hon. H.E. Willy C., Philippine Ambassador to the United
States......................................................... 7
Prepared statement........................................... 8
Legal, Moral and Historical Basis for Filipino Veterans Full
Equity, attachment......................................... 9
Aument, Ronald R., Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits,
Department of Veterans Affairs................................. 12
Prepared statement........................................... 14
Panangala, Sidath Viranga, Analyst, Social Legislation,
Congressional
Research Service............................................... 20
Prepared statement........................................... 22
CRS Report for Congress--Overview of Filipino Veterans'
Benefits,
attachment................................................. 25
Antonio, Luisa, Executive Director, San Francisco Veterans Equity
Center......................................................... 39
Prepared statement........................................... 40
Yangwas, Jenah Mari Paloy, SAVE Member, and Granddaughter of a
Filipino WWII Veteran.......................................... 41
Prepared statement........................................... 42
Manuel B. Braga, Commander, Filipino World War II Veterans
Federation, San Diego County................................... 46
Prepared statement........................................... 48
Caleda, Art A., President of WWII Fil-AM Veterans and Ladies
Auxiliary Hawaii Chapter....................................... 49
Prepared statement........................................... 50
Ganio, Patrick G., Sr., National President, American Coalition
for Filipino Veterans, Inc..................................... 52
Prepared statement........................................... 54
Valdez, Benito, Filipino World War II Veteran.................... 55
Prepared statement........................................... 56
Ramsey, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Price (Ret.), World War II
Veteran........................................................ 57
Prepared statement........................................... 58
APPENDIX
Reid, Hon. Harry, U.S. Senator from Nevada, prepared statement... 65
Brown, Hon. Sherrod, U.S. Senator from Ohio, prepared statement.. 65
Filner, Hon. Bob, U.S. Representative from California, prepared
statement...................................................... 66
Magaoay, Hon. Michael, Y., State Representative from Hawaii,
prepared statement............................................. 67
Agbayani, Amy, Ph.D., Vice Chair, National Federation of Filipino
American Associations Region 12 (Hawaii, Guam, and Commonwealth
of Northern Marianas Islands), prepared statement.............. 67
Andaya, Bryan, Esq., United Filipino Community Council (UFCH),
prepared statement............................................. 68
Batongmalaque, Jenny L., M.D., Executive Director, Filipino
Veterans,
prepared statement............................................. 68
Cabot, Cynthia C., Board Member, Guam Liaison, National
Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 12,
prepared statement............................................. 69
Calabas, Arcadio, President, Illinois Veterans Equity Center and
the American Legion Filipino American Post 509, prepared
statement...................................................... 70
Cuaresma, Charlene, President, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity,
prepared statement............................................. 71
Dilkes, Susan Espiritu, Member, National Alliance for Filipino
Veterans
Equity and the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans,
prepared
statement...................................................... 71
Florentino, Max C., President, Filipino WWII Pensioners
Association, Inc., and Defender of WWII Filipino Veterans,
prepared statement............................................. 72
Gutierrez, Lynne, President, Oahu Filipino Community Council,
prepared statement............................................. 74
de Guzman, Ben, National Campaign Coordinator, National Alliance
for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE), prepared statement....... 74
Letter in support of the Filipino Veterans Equity bill,
attachment................................................. 75
List of events commemorating April 9 as Day of Valor,
attachment................................................. 79
Hopkins, Margarita, President, and Colmenares, Serafin, Jr., Vice
President, Congress of Visayan Organizations, prepared
statement...................................................... 81
Musico, Nic G., Adviser, WWII Fil-Am Veterans and Ladies
Auxiliary Hawaii Chapter, prepared statement................... 82
de Ocampo, Emmanuel V., President, Veterans Federation of the
Philippines, prepared statement................................ 83
Oculto, Tessie, President, Philippine Nurses Association-Hawaii,
prepared statement............................................. 83
Ramos-Razon, Beatrice, President, Nursing Advocates and Mentors,
Inc.,
prepared statement............................................. 83
Letters in support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007:
Lingle, Hon. Linda, Governor from Hawaii....................... 84
Garcetti, Hon. Eric, Councilman, Thirteenth Council District,
City of Los Angeles............................................ 84
Wilfredo, Lieutenant Colonel Tungkol (Ret.), U.S. Army......... 85
Stewart, Kwoh, President and Executive Director, and Huang,
Daniel, Policy Advocate, Immigration and Citizenship Project,
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California, Los
Angeles, California............................................ 85
HEARING ON THE FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT OF 2007
----------
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:01 a.m., in
room 418, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Akaka, Murray, and Craig.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. DANIEL K. AKAKA, CHAIRMAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Chairman Akaka. The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
U.S. Senate will come to order.
This hearing will be on the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of
2007. Aloha. I am very pleased to welcome all of the witnesses
to this long-awaited hearing on the veterans' status of
Filipinos who fought along the United States military during
World War II. I thank especially those of you who have traveled
so far, over long distances, to be with us today.
I would like to begin by calling my close friend, my
colleague from Hawaii, United States Senator Dan Inouye, who is
the sponsor of S. 57. Senator Inouye?
STATEMENT OF HON. DANIEL K. INOUYE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Senator Inouye. Thank you very much for your invitation to
come before your Committee to speak in strong support of the
measure before us. I wish to commend you and the Members for
holding this hearing on the Filipino Veterans Equity bill. I
think the title should be Filipino Veterans Justice bill. It is
to do justice. It is my sincere hope that we will be successful
in the passage of this bill during this Congress.
Many of you know of my continued advocacy on the importance
of addressing the plight of the Filipino World War II veterans,
all of whom are in their twilight years. As an American, I
believe the treatment of Filipino World War II veterans is
bleak and shameful. It is time that we as a Nation recognize
our longstanding history and friendship with the Filipinos.
Of the 120,000 that served in the Commonwealth Army during
World War II, there are approximately 60,000 Filipino veterans
recently residing in the United States and the Philippines.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Filipino
veteran population is expected to decrease to approximately
20,000, or roughly one-third of the current population, by
2010.
Historically, the Philippines became a United States
possession in 1898 when it was ceded by Spain following the
Spanish-American War. In 1934, the Congress enacted the
Philippines Independence Act, which provided a 10-year time
frame for the independence of the Philippines. Between 1934 and
the final independence in 1946, the United States retained
certain powers over the Philippines, including the right to
call military forces organized by the newly formed Commonwealth
Government into the service of the United States Armed Forces.
The Commonwealth Army of the Philippines was called to
serve with the United States Armed Forces in the Far East
during World War II under President Roosevelt's July 26, 1941
military order, which was the law of the land. The Filipinos
who served were entitled to full veterans' benefits by reason
of their active service in our armed forces. Hundreds were
wounded in battle and many more hundreds died in battle.
Shortly after Japan's surrender, the Congress enacted the
Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 for the purpose
of sending Filipino troops to occupy enemy lands and to oversee
military installations at various overseas bastions. These
troops were authorized to receive pay and allowances for
services performed throughout the Western Pacific. Although
hostilities had ceased, wartime service of these troops
continued as a matter of law until the end of 1946.
Despite all of their sacrifices, on February 18, 1946, a
dark day, the Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, now
codified as Section 107 of Title 38 of the United States Code.
The 1946 Act deemed that the service performed by these
Filipino veterans would not be recognized as active service for
the purpose of any U.S. law conferring rights, privileges, or
benefits. Accordingly, Section 107 denied Filipino veterans
access to health care, particularly for their armed service-
connected disabilities, and pension benefits. Section 107 also
limited service-connected disability and death compensation for
Filipino veterans to 50 percent of what their American
counterparts received.
On May 27, 1946, the Congress enacted the Second
Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act, which
duplicated the language that eliminated Filipino veterans'
benefits under the First Rescission Act. Thus, Filipino
veterans who fought in the service of the United States during
World War II have been precluded from receiving most of the
veterans' benefits that had been available to them before 1946
and that are available to all other veterans of our armed
forces, regardless of race, national origin, or citizenship
status.
Throughout the years, I have sponsored several measures to
rectify the lack of appreciation America has shown to these
gallant men and women who stood in harm's way with our American
soldiers and fought the common enemy during World War II. These
benefits include veterans' health care, service-connected
disability compensation, non-service-connected disability
compensation, dependent indemnity compensation, death pension,
and full burial benefits.
As a result of a citizenship statute enacted by the
Congress in 1990, some Filipino veterans who were able to
travel came to the United States to become U.S. citizens. At
the same time, many other Filipino World War II veterans were
unable to travel to the U.S. and take advantage of the
naturalization benefit because of their advanced age.
The law was subsequently amended under the Fiscal Year 1993
Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, and the Judiciary
Appropriations Act to allow the naturalization process for
these veterans to occur in the Philippines. Since then, a
distinction has been made to provide benefits to only those
Filipino veterans residing in the United States.
I believe it is unfair to make a distinction between those
residing in the U.S. versus those residing in the Philippines.
Under President Roosevelt's July 26, 1941 military order, the
Commonwealth Army of the Philippines served with the United
States Armed Forces in the Far East.
Together, these gallant men and women stood in harm's way
with our American soldiers to fight our common enemies in World
War II. I strongly urge the Committee not to make a distinction
between the Filipino veterans in the U.S. and the Filipino
veterans residing in the Philippines. After all, an injury is
just as painful in the Philippines as it is in the United
States.
Because all Filipino veterans stood in equal jeopardy
during World War II, I do not believe we should have a
distinction drawn based on the current residency in the U.S. or
in the Philippines. All of them were at equal risk and so all
should receive equal benefits.
Heroes should never be forgotten or ignored. Let us not
turn our backs on those who sacrificed so much. Let us instead
work to repay all of those brave men for their sacrifices by
providing them the veterans' benefits they deserve.
Thank you very much for your consideration on this matter,
and Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I stand ready to
work with you toward the passage of this much-deserved and
much-needed legislation for the Filipino veterans of World War
II.
I thank you very much, sir.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, recipient of the
Medal of Honor of the United States, one who is ranked number
three in the U.S. Senate, one who has introduced the Filipino
Veterans Equity Act of 2007 that would constitute the granting
of veterans' benefits and status to the Filipino veterans who
served under U.S. command during the Second World War.
Senator Inouye, thank you very much for your testimony and
your bill that we will be talking about today. Thank you very
much, and with much Aloha.
Senator Inouye. Sir, I thank you very much, and Senator
Craig, I thank you, sir.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you. I know you are busy and we will
go on with the hearing now, but again----
Senator Inouye. Chairman, if you will excuse me, we have an
Armed Services Committee meeting.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you. Thank you very much, Senator
Inouye.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. I want you to know that we have many who
are attending this hearing today and we have an overflow room--
that is Room 432 on this floor--that has room for you in case
you want to sit down. There is a screen there so that you can
watch what is happening in this room. It is Room 432.
In the 62 years since the end of the Second World War,
Filipino veterans have worked tirelessly to secure the
veterans' status they were promised when they agreed to fight
under U.S. command in defense of their homeland and to protect
U.S. interests in the region. Today, I am happy to say many
Filipino veterans enjoy eligibility for benefits and health
care services as U.S. veterans.
However, as our distinguished witnesses here today will
remind us, there is still work to be done in order to extend
these eligibilities to all of those who served alongside the
United States military during World War II. There remains a
distinction in law between those Filipino veterans who served
in the old Philippine Scouts and those who served in the
Filipino Commonwealth Army, the recognized guerilla forces or
the New Philippine Scouts.
Unlike those who served as old Philippine Scouts, those in
the other three groups are not eligible for all VA benefits
under the same criteria that applies to veterans of U.S.
military service, and perhaps more importantly, this means they
are not officially acknowledged by the U.S. Government as true
veterans.
My colleague and good friend from Hawaii, Senator Daniel
Inouye, has introduced legislation which will end this
distinction and, at long last, recognize these honorable and
brave men as U.S. veterans of World War II. Senator Inouye's
bill, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007, would
constitute the final gesture in granting full veteran status to
the brave Filipinos who served under U.S. command during the
Second World War.
There is a long and amiable history between the United
States and the Filipinos dating back to 1898, when the
Philippine Islands were ceded from Spain following the Spanish-
American War. When called upon by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt to fight under U.S. command against the Japanese
invasion, the organized Armed Forces of the Philippines fought
bravely and honorably. They fought for the cause of freedom,
their own independence, and out of loyalty to the United
States.
In the decades since the end of World War II and the
establishment of the Independent Republic of the Philippines,
the tradition of goodwill between the people of the United
States and the Philippines has continued. In my home State of
Hawaii, I have seen firsthand the invaluable contributions that
Filipino Americans have made to the rich cultural texture of
this country.
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 would honor the
service of all Filipino veterans of World War II by formally
recognizing the contribution of our Filipino veteran brethren
from, ``the greatest generation.'' This hearing is an important
first step toward that recognition.
I again thank our witnesses for joining us and look forward
to today's hearing. I want to thank you, all of those of you
here of Philippine ancestry. Mabuhay.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Chairman Akaka follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman,
U.S. Senator from Hawaii
Aloha. In the sixty-two years since the end of the Second World
War, Filipino veterans have worked tirelessly to secure the veterans
status they were promised when they agreed to fight under U.S. command
in defense of their homeland and to protect U.S. interests in the
region. Today, I am happy to say, many Filipino veterans enjoy
eligibility to benefits and health care services as U.S. veterans.
However, as our distinguished witnesses here today will remind us,
there is still work to be done in order to extend these eligibilities
to all of those who served alongside the United States military during
the World War II.
There remains a distinction in law between those Filipino veterans
who served in the Old Philippine Scouts and those who served in the
Filipino Commonwealth Army, the Recognized Guerilla forces, or the New
Philippine Scouts. Unlike those who served as Old Philippine Scouts,
those in the other three groups are not eligible for all VA benefits
under the same criteria that applies to veterans of U.S. military
service. And, perhaps more importantly, this means they are not
officially acknowledged by the United States government as true
veterans.
My colleague and good friend from Hawaii, Senator Daniel Inouye,
has introduced legislation which will end this distinction and, at long
last, recognize and honor these brave men as U.S. veterans of World War
II. Senator Inouye's bill, the ``Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007''
would constitute the final gesture in granting full veteran status to
the brave Filipinos who served under U.S. command during the Second
World War.
There is a long and amiable history between the United States and
the Philippines dating back to 1898, when the Philippine Islands were
ceded from Spain following the Spanish American War. When called upon
by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight under U.S. command against
the Japanese occupation, the organized armed forces of the Philippines
fought bravely and honorably. They fought for the cause of freedom,
their own independence, and out of loyalty to the United States.
In the decades since the end of World War II and the establishment
of the independent Republic of the Philippines, the tradition of
goodwill between the people of the United States and the Philippines
has continued. In my home state of Hawaii, I have seen first hand the
invaluable contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the rich
cultural texture of this country.
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 would honor the service of
all Filipino veterans of World War II by formally recognizing the
contributions of our Filipino brethren from the ``Greatest
Generation.'' This hearing is an important first step in that
recognition coming to fruition.
Chairman Akaka. Senator Craig?
STATEMENT OF HON. LARRY E. CRAIG, RANKING MEMBER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM IDAHO
Senator Craig. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and
welcome to all of our witnesses this morning and all who are in
attendance, both here and, I understand, as Danny has just
expressed, remotely.
Mr. Chairman, you have already described the great services
rendered by our friends from the Philippine Islands during
World War II. That service is undeniable, and the legal record
and the obligations from that record are also undeniable. That
service is a fact. It is a historic fact that victory in the
Pacific would not have been assured without the help of our
Filipino friends and our Filipino- American citizens.
I will not attempt to expand on what you have already said
and what we will later hear from our guests this morning. The
ultimate question we must grapple with in this Committee is 62
years after World War II, has the U.S. Government met its
obligation to Filipino veterans who fought under U.S. command
during that war?
When distinguished veterans of this Senate and of that war,
Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka, put their name on legislation
which suggests we have not met that obligation, that is an
alert to all of us here that something is amiss. That, in fact,
we should strive to do better for our Filipino veterans. That
is, I believe, a responsibility and an obligation, and that is
my position, Mr. Chairman. We should strive to do better for
the Filipino veterans and I will work with you to that end.
Let me turn, then, to the issue of whether S. 57 represents
the best way to accomplish our collective goal. As you know, S.
57 would grant full VA benefits to Filipino veterans. There are
several issues that prevent me from endorsing the legislation
at this time.
First, while Filipino veterans were certainly U.S.
nationals at the time of the war, a fact which heightens our
obligation to them, they were also on a path to full
independence as members of a sovereign nation. Yes, they fought
for the U.S. interest against a common enemy, but they also
fought for their own homeland. As such, I believe the
governments of the Philippines and the United States
collectively share responsibility for the care of these
veterans.
As I understand it, the Filipino Government pays $100 a
month to Filipino veterans. I have also learned that should
V.A. benefits be expanded on their behalf, that the Filipino
Government would offset their $100 monthly payment. Mr.
Chairman, I find that unacceptable. I am interested in
improving benefits to Filipino veterans, not in merely shifting
funding obligations from one nation's taxpayers to another.
Second, it is a fact that the standard of living of our two
countries is vastly different. VA pension benefits paid to
veterans residing in the United States barely gets household
income above the poverty level. The same benefit paid to
veterans residing in the Philippines would provide income that
is almost four times the average household income of that
country. I am very concerned about creating a situation where
the relative value of the same benefits is so vastly different.
Third, the price tag of S. 57 is large, almost $1 billion
over 10 years by some estimates. The Congress's budget rules
require us to find offsets for that new spending. During a time
of war and fiscal restraint, how will the costs of S. 57 be
met?
And finally, we have several bills pending before this
Committee that seek to expand benefits to veterans of the War
on Terror. Our country has no higher priority than to assure
that those returning from war with traumatic brain injuries,
severe burns, and amputations have the best benefits and care
available. These bills also have tremendous costs. I want to
make sure that in our goal to expand benefits for Filipino
veterans within our existing resources, we also give
appropriate priority to others in need.
So, Mr. Chairman, I see that as our collective challenge in
meeting an obligation and a responsibility that is represented
in S. 57 and I will work with you to resolve this issue. Thank
you very much.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Senator Craig. I want
you to know that Senator Craig and I have worked well together
on this Committee and we will continue to do our best. We look
forward to continuing this friendship and the kind of work that
we do.
We are fortunate to have with us today the Ambassador from
the Philippines, Ambassador Gaa. He is accompanied by retired
Major General Delfin N. Lorenzana, head of the Office of
Veterans' Affairs for the Philippine Embassy. We are pleased
that you can join us today to share your perspective,
Ambassador Gaa, on the role of the Filipino military personnel
during World War II.
Ambassador Gaa, your complete statement will appear in the
Committee's hearing record. Ambassador Gaa?
STATEMENT OF HON. H.E. WILLY C. GAA, PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO
THE UNITED STATES; ACCOMPANIED BY MAJOR GENERAL DELFIN N.
LORENZANA (RET.), HEAD, OFFICE OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS, PHILIPPINE
EMBASSY
Ambassador Gaa. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. Thank you for your kind
invitation for us to appear before the Committee. We deeply
appreciate the opportunity to share with you the views of the
Philippine Government on an issue of great importance to my
country and to the Filipino people.
Victory for allied forces marked the end of the war in the
Pacific. At war's end, though battered by years of fighting and
with the memories of their fallen comrades etched in their
hearts, our veterans rejoiced and savored the sweet taste of
victory. Little did they know that while the carnage and
destruction of war had ended, they would be facing a new
battle, one where victory would be far more elusive.
It would be a battle where time, not bullets, would ravage
their ranks. It would be a fight where the pain of inequity,
not the bayonet charges of the enemy, would force them to once
again witness their comrades fall one by one. This would be a
quest for victory that would once more demand that they give
the full measure of courage and sacrifice they had unselfishly
shown in the trenches of Bataan and Corregidor, in the jungles
and mountains throughout the archipelago, and on the crimson
roads of the Death March.
Today, few of these living symbols of the very freedoms and
liberties that we now enjoy remain. By the end of this month,
many more would have fallen. But they have not been alone in
this quest for a final victory.
Many in the U.S. Congress have stood boldly by our brave
soldiers. Their profound sense of history and commitment to the
common values that both our countries share and have fought for
have given all of us renewed hope for justice, fairness, and
equity.
In this quest, Filipino American groups, U.S. veterans'
organizations like the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and as well as
individuals have also marched unflinchingly side-by-side with
our veterans. Many of these groups and individuals are with us
today and we thank them for their invaluable and tireless work
and for their commitment and dedication.
Mr. Chairman, the Philippine Government and the Filipino
people continue to maintain that the Filipino soldiers who
fought and served under the U.S. Army during World War II,
specifically during the period between July 1941 to October
1945, are U.S. veterans under then-existing U.S. laws and are
entitled to all benefits due a U.S. veteran.
We therefore welcome the filing and urge the passage of S.
57 and its companion bill in the House, H.R. 716, into law, to
amend Section 107 of Title 38, United States Code, to deem
certain service in the organized military forces of the
Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the
Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of
benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs. We make this call based on assertions that
are supported by clear facts and historical records. I have
attached to this statement a reiteration of our arguments and I
respectfully request that this be made part of the record.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, Filipino World
War II veterans were treated unfairly by the 79th Congress and
the U.S. Government in 1946 by the enactment of P.L. 79-301,
otherwise known as the Rescission Act of 1946.
At a critical juncture in both our countries' history,
Filipino veterans had willingly responded to the urgent call
and order of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They readily
left their families and homes for an uncertain fate. They
fought valiantly, bravely, and with uncommon courage. They went
into combat against great odds and often lacking the support
that they had been promised.
Out of the 470,000 reported by the VA in 1946, less than
20,000 remain by 2010, as mentioned by Senator Inouye earlier,
13,000 in the Philippines and 7,000 in the United States. Those
who remain have very little time left. Many are sick and
infirm.
Two days ago, we marked the 65th anniversary of the Fall of
Bataan with even more vacant spaces among the ranks of the
veterans. We commemorate that fateful date not in the spirit of
defeat but as a symbol of immense courage in the face of great
odds and as a day that held for us the promise of a victory.
Mr. Chairman, I ask on behalf of a nation that has stood by
yours in the name of freedom, liberty, and democracy in World
War II, in the decades of uncertainty after, and in facing
today's new and great challenges, to let these old soldiers
have their final victory. We ask that they be allowed to end
this last chapter of a war they had fought so hard to win with
their dignity intact and with the honor that they so truly
deserve. Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Ambassador Gaa follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. H.E. Willy C. Gaa,
Philippine Ambassador to the United States
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Thank you for your kind invitation for us to appear before the
Committee.
We deeply appreciate the opportunity to share with you the views of
the Philippine Government on an issue of great importance to my country
and to the Filipino people.
Victory for allied forces marked the end of the war in the Pacific.
At war's end, though battered by years of fighting and with the
memories of their fallen comrades etched in their hearts, our veterans
rejoiced and savored the sweet taste of victory.
Little did they know that while the carnage and destruction of war
had ended, they would be facing a new battle--one where victory would
be far more elusive.
It would be battle where time, not bullets would ravage their
ranks.
It would be a fight where the pain of inequity, not the bayonet
charges of the enemy, would force them to once again witness their
comrades fall, one by one.
This would be a quest for victory that would once more demand that
they give the full measure of courage and sacrifice they had
unselfishly shown in the trenches of Bataan and Corregidor, in the
jungles and mountains throughout the archipelago and on the crimson
roads of the Death March.
Today, few of these living symbols of the very freedoms and
liberties that we now enjoy, remain. By the end of this month, many
more would have fallen.
But they have not been alone in this quest for a final victory.
Many in the U.S. Congress have stood boldly by our brave soldiers.
Their profound sense of history and commitment to the common values
that both our countries share and have fought for, have given all of us
renewed hope for justice, fairness and equity.
In this quest, Filipino American groups, U.S. veterans
organizations like the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
the Vietnam Veterans of America, as well as individuals have also
marched unflinchingly, side-by-side with our
veterans.
Many of these groups and individuals are with us today, and we
thank them for their invaluable and tireless work and for their
commitment and dedication.
Mr. Chairman, the Philippine Government and the Filipino people
continue to maintain that the Filipino soldiers who fought and served
under the U.S. Army during WWII, specifically during the period between
July 1941 to October 1945, are U.S. veterans under then existing U.S.
laws and are entitled to all benefits due a U.S. veteran.
We therefore welcome the filing and urge the passage of S. 57 and
its companion bill in the House, H.R. 760 into law, ``to amend Section
107 of title 38, United States Code to deem certain service in the
organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for
purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.''
We make this call based on assertions that are supported by clear
facts and historical records.
I have attached to this statement a reiteration of our arguments
and respectfully request that these be made part of the record.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, Filipino WWII veterans
were treated unfairly by the 79th Congress and the U.S. Government in
1946 by the enactment of P.L. 79-301, otherwise known as the Rescission
Act of 1946.
At a critical juncture in both our countries' history, Filipino
veterans had willingly responded to the urgent call of President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
They readily left their families and homes for an uncertain fate.
They fought valiantly, bravely and with uncommon courage. They went
into combat against great odds and often lacking the support that they
had been promised.
Out of the 470,000 reported by the VA in 1946 less than 20,000
remain--13,000 in the Philippines and 7,000 in the United States.
Those who remain have very little time left. Many are sick and
infirm.
I ask, on behalf of a nation that has stood by yours in the name of
freedom, liberty and democracy in World War II, in the decades of
uncertainty after, and in facing today's new and grave challenges, to
let these old soldiers have their final
victory.
We ask that they be allowed to end this last chapter of a war they
had fought so hard to win--with their dignity intact and with the honor
that they so truly
deserve.
Thank you.
______
Legal, Moral and Historical Basis for
Filipino Veterans Full Equity
We have based our arguments on the following facts verifiable from
U.S. Congress archives:
1. The Philippines was then a Colony of the U.S.--The Philippines
was then a colony of the U.S. and the U.S. President, under the
Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 (also known as the Philippine Independence
Act of 1934) was vested with the authority to call the Philippine
Commonwealth Army and other forces so organized to serve under the U.S.
Army. This power was exercised by President Franklin Roosevelt on July
26, 1941.
2. The U.S. Assumed Command of All Forces--Shortly thereafter,
General MacArthur having been designated the Commander of the newly
organized United States Army Forces in the Far East, with Headquarters
in Manila, issued an order assuming command of all U.S. Army Forces in
the Philippines including the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines.
3. Public Law 79-301 was Grossly Unfair--On February 18, 1946,
barely 5 months before the scheduled independence of the Philippines,
Public Law 79-301, now famously known as the Rescission Act of 1946,
was enacted into law. Included in this rider was the appropriation of
$200M to the Philippine Army with the proviso that ``service in the
organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines while such forces were in the service of the armed forces
of the United States pursuant to the military order of the President of
the United States dated July 26, 1941, shall not be deemed to be or to
have been service in the military or naval forces of the U.S. or any
component thereof for any law of the U.S. conferring rights, privileges
or benefits upon any such person by reason of service of such person or
any other person in the military or naval forces of the U.S. or any
component thereof.''
4. Key U.S. Officials Admitted Eligibility for Equity--During the
hearing for Public Law 79-301 the head of the U.S. Veterans'
Administration was called to testify. His testimony included the
following: there were 472,000 Filipino WWII veterans in 1946, they were
eligible to VA benefits (THE SERVICE OF THE FILIPINO COMMONWEALTH ARMY
INTO THE U.S. ARMED SERVICES DURING WWII HAVE MET THE STATUTORY
DEFINITION OF A U.S. VETERAN), and it would cost the U.S. $3.2B to
cover Filipino WWII Veterans on equal basis with their American
counterparts.
5. Statement of President Harry S. Truman Clearly Recognized that
Filipino Veterans Deserved Equity--Before signing P.L. 79-301 into law,
President Harry S. Truman stated:
a. The effect of this rider is to bar Philippine Army veterans from
all benefits under the GI Bill of Rights with the exception of
disability and death benefits.
b. The passage and approval of this legislation does not release
the U.S. from its moral obligation to provide for the heroic Philippine
veterans who sacrificed so much for the common cause during the war.
c. Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the U.S. and will
continue in that status until July 4, 1946. They fought as American
nationals, under the American flag, and under the direction of our
military leaders.
d. He considers it a moral obligation of the United States to look
after the welfare of the Philippine Army veterans.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Ambassador Gaa, for
your testimony.
I have some questions for you, Ambassador. My first
question is, what benefits does your government currently
provide to World War II Filipino veterans?
Ambassador Gaa. As mentioned by Senator Craig, the
Philippine Government is extending old-age pension in the
amount of approximately $100. They have also access to the
Veterans' Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines.
Chairman Akaka. Ambassador Gaa, if the United States were
to pay non-service-connected pension to all eligible Filipino
veterans who served with the U.S. forces during World War II,
would your government offset this benefit against any benefits
that are already paid to these veterans?
Ambassador Gaa. Mr. Chairman, I have to be frank with you.
We have legislation which states that a veteran who is at least
65 years old shall be paid an old-age pension of 500 pesos
monthly, or it is now 5,000 pesos, unless he is actually
receiving a similar pension for the same consideration from
other government funds or from the U.S. Government. Now, unless
this is repealed, then there will be an offset. But let me
assure you, Mr. Chairman, that my predecessor as well as myself
have written our government that this grant be continued even
after this government has extended benefits to these veterans.
Chairman Akaka. I thank you very much for your responses.
Senator Craig?
Senator Craig. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Ambassador, welcome before the Committee and thank you
for your testimony. You have already responded to one of my
questions that I broached in my opening comments that I think
would be a concern, because I view the responsibility here as
somewhat equal amongst nations, because while, as I said in my
opening statement, yes, you fought as U.S. troops, I think
there was a joint obligation and understanding and sense that
you were also fighting to free a homeland. As a result of that,
of course, you became independent. That was well underway at
the time, from the 1930s on. So I am pleased with your response
and I would hope that that is something that we could see
moving in the form of legislation in the Philippines.
One other question. I also commented on the difference in
the cost of living in both the Philippines and the United
States, and while I understand obligation no matter where the
person resides, because we are talking about individuals who
have been lifelong residents within the Philippines themselves,
if the Committee were to extend benefits for the Filipino
veteran residing in the Philippines, would you support our
taking into account at least the differences in the cost of
living of the two countries involved?
Ambassador Gaa. Well, Mr. Chairman, Senator Craig, that is
something I would have to consult with the veterans. But
personally, I would support legislation that would recognize
the different economic conditions but also the legislation that
would recognize the long historical friendship between the
Philippines and the United States as well as the sacrifices of
our Filipino veterans. That has to be taken comprehensively,
Mr. Chairman.
Senator Craig. And last, Mr. Chairman, Ambassador, you said
that the veteran currently in the Philippines receives $100 a
month and access to health care or a health care system?
Ambassador Gaa. It is access to the Veterans Memorial
Medical Center, Mr. Chairman, Senator Craig, but that is only
access.
Senator Craig. Access----
Ambassador Gaa. They have to pay their own medicines and
all that.
Senator Craig. So it is not full benefits----
Ambassador Gaa. That is not full benefits----
Senator Craig [continuing].--delivered from that system?
Ambassador Gaa. Yes.
Senator Craig. Thank you. That helps me.
Ambassador Gaa. Thank you.
Senator Craig. Thank you both very much.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you, Senator Craig.
I want to thank you, Ambassador, for your presence here. We
really appreciate your statement and want to wish you well.
Also, I want to mention that on April 9, the Philippines had a
national holiday where they commemorated Corregidor and Bataan
and also the Death March during World War II. You had a
celebration there in the Philippines and I wanted to note that
at this time.
Again, Mr. Ambassador, thank you so much. I want to wish
you and your country well in the 21st century. We look forward
to considering Senator Inouye's bill. Again, thank you very
much.
Ambassador Gaa. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for your
kind remarks.
Chairman Akaka. Aloha.
Ambassador Gaa. Aloha.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. On behalf of the Committee, I welcome our
witnesses from the VA to the second panel: Mr. Ronald Aument,
Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits; Mr. Jack Thompson, Deputy
General Counsel; and Dr. Robert Wiebe, the Director of VA's
Health Care Network that includes Hawaii.
Good to see you again.
I want to thank each of you for being here today. I also
want to place in the record that Senator Reid has cosponsored
S. 57 and has submitted a statement for the record.
Chairman Akaka. Again, it is good to have you here and I
want you to know that your full statement will appear in the
record of the hearing.
Mr. Aument?
STATEMENT OF RONALD R. AUMENT, DEPUTY UNDER
SECRETARY FOR BENEFITS, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS;
ACCOMPANIED BY ROBERT WIEBE, DIRECTOR, VETERANS INTEGRATED
SERVICE NETWORK 21, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS; AND JOHN H.
THOMPSON, DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL, DEPARTMENT VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Mr. Aument. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Senator Craig, and
thank you for the opportunity to testify today on S. 57, a bill
that would deem certain service in the organized military
forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines
and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for the
purpose of benefits under programs administered by VA.
I am accompanied today by Dr. Robert Wiebe and Mr. Jack
Thompson.
The VA has great respect for the bravery and service of
Philippine soldiers and for their partnership with the U.S.
military in defending freedom. I am personally privileged to
have met some of the Filipino veterans present here today for
this hearing, Mr. Chairman, and I thank them for their service.
We are pleased that our office in Manila works tirelessly
to provide benefits to those eligible, with the result that an
average of $12.5 million is paid each month to veterans
resident in the Philippines. These funds not only benefit the
veterans themselves, but also contribute to the economic growth
of the Philippines.
For purposes of VA benefits and services, members of the
Philippine Armed Forces can be categorized into four separate
groups: Regular Philippine Scouts, Commonwealth Army of the
Philippines, recognized guerilla units, and New Philippine
Scouts. Veterans who served in the regular Philippine Scouts
have always qualified for the full range of VA benefits and
services as veterans of the United States Armed Forces and they
are not affected by this bill. For the other categories of
Filipino veterans, S. 57 would extend full eligibility for VA
benefits.
Congress limited the rates of disability and death
compensation to the equivalent of 50 cents on the U.S. dollar
and did not authorize eligibility for VA needs-based pension,
health care, or readjustment of benefits for veterans of the
Commonwealth Army, recognized guerilla units, and the New
Philippine Scouts. Legislative history indicates that benefits
were limited to 50 cents on the dollar in recognition of the
different standards of living in the United States and the
Philippines, and Congress also anticipated that the newly
independent Republic of the Philippines would rightly assume
additional responsibilities for its veterans.
We are very pleased that Congress has in recent years
improved the benefits for those facing living expenses
comparable to United States veterans. We believe these
improvements were extremely important, as they allowed the VA
to maintain parity in the provision of veterans' benefits among
similarly situated Filipino beneficiaries.
Filipino veterans who lawfully reside in the United States
and are United States citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for
permanent residency in the United States now qualify for
disability compensation at the full U.S. dollar rate. They also
have eligibility for VA health care and burial benefits similar
to other veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Service-connected World War II Filipino veterans residing
in the United States can obtain hospital and outpatient medical
services for any condition on the same basis as veterans of the
U.S. forces. The United States has also provided assistance to
the Philippines in a number of different ways to facilitate the
provision of medical care to World War II Filipino veterans.
While we are grateful for the military service and the
sacrifices these Filipino veterans made during World War II, VA
does not support enactment of this bill because it would
disproportionately favor Filipino veterans over U.S. veterans.
In 2003, the average annual family income in the
Philippines in U.S. dollars was approximately $2,864. In
contrast, the maximum annual pension rate in 2006 for a veteran
with no dependents was $10,928 per year. The annual rate for a
veteran with one dependent was $14,313, and the annual rate for
a surviving spouse with no dependents was $7,329.
Thus, Filipino veterans and their survivors receiving full-
rate VA pensions while living in the Philippines would enjoy a
much higher standard of living relative to the general
population in the Philippines. At the same time, VA benefits
paid to beneficiaries living in the United States, such as U.S.
veterans, do not enable those beneficiaries to enjoy a standard
of living higher than the general U.S. population.
Assuming that the amendments that S. 57 would make would
become effective on January 1, 2007, we estimate additional
benefits cost, including medical benefits and memorial
benefits, of approximately $510 million in the first year and
more than $4 billion over 10 years. Administrative costs are
estimated at around $8.8 million in the first year and $27
million over 10 years. These estimates of administrative costs
do not include the capital security cost sharing cost or
administrative costs related to the provision of health care.
Both the benefit and administrative costs include costs related
to the three most financially significant benefits that would
be afforded by this bill, which are disability compensation,
pension, and DIC benefits. At this time, we do not have
estimates that include costs related to any other benefits.
This concludes my statement, Mr. Chairman, and I would be
happy to entertain any questions from you or other Members of
the Committee.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Aument follows:]
Prepared Statement of Ronald R. Aument, Deputy Under Secretary
for Benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to testify today on S. 57, a bill that would deem certain
service in the organized military forces of the Government of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been
active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA does not support enactment
of the bill.
Regular, or ``Old,'' Philippine Scouts are currently eligible for
VA benefits in the same manner as veterans of the U.S. Army. Therefore,
the bill would not affect this group. However, S. 57 would extend full
eligibility for VA benefits to veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth
Army, including those with recognized guerrilla service, and to
veterans of the New Philippine Scouts. In my testimony today, I refer
only to the groups affected by the proposed bill as ``Filipino
veterans'' and do not refer to Regular Philippine Scouts.
Section 107 of title 38, United States Code, generally limits the
VA benefits to which Filipino veterans and their survivors are eligible
to certain contracts of National Service Life Insurance, disability
compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and monetary
burial benefits. Furthermore, unless those veterans or survivors live
in the United States and are U.S. citizens or are lawfully admitted for
permanent residence in the United States, those veterans or survivors
receive their disability compensation or DIC at the rate of fifty cents
per U.S. dollar, which is commonly referred to as payment at a ``half-
dollar rate.'' Payment of monetary burial benefits at more than the
half-dollar rate requires, in addition to the legal residency
requirement, that the veteran at the time of death be receiving
disability compensation or be entitled to receive a disability pension
but for the active-service requirement. Eligibility for burial in a
national cemetery and for hospital and nursing home care and medical
services is limited to Filipino veterans living here in the United
States who are either U.S. citizens or lawful residents. Filipino
veterans and their survivors are not eligible for any other VA benefit
with the exception of education benefits available under chapter 35 of
title 38 to certain children of these veterans.
We do not support the bill because it would disproportionately
favor Filipino veterans over U.S. veterans. Mr. Chairman, in 2003 the
average annual family income in the Philippines in U.S. dollars was
approximately $2,864. In contrast, in 2006 the maximum annual pension
rate for a veteran with no dependent was $10,929 U.S. dollars per year;
the annual rate for a veteran with one dependent was $14,313; and the
annual rate for a surviving spouse with no dependent was $7,329. Thus,
Filipino veterans and their survivors receiving full-rate VA pensions
while living in the Philippines would enjoy a much higher standard of
living relative to the general population in the Philippines. At the
same time, VA benefits paid to beneficiaries living in the United
States, such as U.S. veterans, do not enable those beneficiaries to
enjoy a standard of living higher than the general U.S. population. In
fact, even when paid at the half-dollar rate, Filipino veterans and
their survivors are receiving relatively higher rates of disability
compensation, DIC, and burial benefits compared to beneficiaries
receiving the full-dollar rate in the United States.
As a direct result of S. 57, VA would have to double the monthly
payments currently provided to the more than 7,000 Filipino veterans
and their survivors who now receive disability compensation or DIC at
the half-dollar rate. In addition, we expect newly eligible veterans or
their survivors to apply for pension benefits. Although precise numbers
are not available, we have based our cost estimates on an estimate that
more than 20,000 Filipino veterans reside outside the United States. We
derived this figure by applying mortality rates for World War II
veterans to an estimate of the Filipino veteran population that was
calculated in 2000. The resulting 20,000 figure is in line with an
estimate used by the Congressional Research Service in 2006. Since it
is very difficult to develop a firm estimate for the size of this
population, we believe that 20,000 figure is as reliable as we can
establish at this date. Based on this figure, we estimate compensation,
pension, and DIC costs in the first year will exceed $491 million.
Enactment of S. 57 may also likely require VA to provide to Filipino
veterans memorial benefits such as interment, perpetual care of
gravesites, government-furnished headstones or markers, and
Presidential Memorial Certificates.
S. 57 also would significantly affect VA's health care system.
Currently, the VA Outpatient Clinic in Manila, Philippines, provides a
wide range of ambulatory care services for U.S. veterans living in the
Philippines as well as Compensation-and-Pension examinations for both
U.S. and Filipino veterans. The Clinic has an annual operating budget
of approximately $6.3 million and, in Fiscal Year 2006, served 3,799
U.S. veterans. Under S. 57, all Filipino veterans in the Philippines
with VA-adjudicated service-connected disabilities would become
eligible for VA health care in the Philippines. As of February 2007,
the VA Manila Regional Office provided compensation for service-
connected disabilities to 3,441 Philippine Service veterans, of which
2,726 resided in the Philippines. Based on the expected increase in the
number of veterans eligible for care and an increase in the number of
Compensation-and-Pension examination requests, we estimate an almost
100 percent increase in overall operating costs in the Philippines if
the bill is enacted. We estimate a total additional expense of over $5
million in the first year. Moreover, this cost estimate does not fully
account for the expected impact of S. 57. It is expected that the newly
eligible Filipino veterans also would require a significant increase in
the costs at the Manila Clinic for pharmacy, beneficiary travel,
specialty exams, and fee
basis costs.
The bill would also impact VA's construction costs in the
Philippines. Public Law 106-113 requires the Department of State
(State) to locate diplomatic and other U.S. Government offices to
secure embassy grounds when it builds a new or replaces an existing
embassy. State is replacing its embassy in Manila. In December 2006,
Secretary Nicholson approved a recommendation to relocate the Manila VA
Outpatient Clinic from its current leased site to U.S. Embassy
property. State is planning to co-locate the Manila regional office and
the Outpatient Clinic on embassy property at its Seafront compound. The
facilities will be built and funded through a State major construction
appropriation, and the new VA facilities are planned to be completed in
2010. VA will reimburse State for this project through Capital Security
Cost-Sharing (CSCS) charges over a period of several years. VA's costs
under that program are based on staffing levels. Any additional space
and staffing required for this project due to the enactment of S. 57
will significantly increase
VA's costs.
Additional health-care costs would have to be paid with existing
health-care funds. Filipino veterans now residing outside the United
States would be eligible for and could obtain health care in the United
States by traveling to the United States to receive it. They would not,
as now, have to reside in the United States and become U.S. citizens or
permanent residents. We estimate that, if 10 percent of these newly
eligible veterans (i.e., approximately 2,000 of the estimated 20,000
population of veterans) obtain health care in the United States, it
will cost over $13 million in the first year.
We estimate additional benefit costs (including medical benefits
and memorial benefits) of approximately $510 million in the first year
and more than $4 billion over 10 years. Our cost estimate includes only
expenses related to the three most significant monetary benefits, which
are disability compensation, pension, and DIC, in our total estimate of
benefit costs.
Administrative costs are estimated at $8.8 million in the first
year and $27 million over 10 years. These estimates of administrative
costs do not include the CSCS costs or administrative costs related to
the provision of health care, and, as with the benefit costs, include
administrative costs related to disability compensation, pension, and
DIC, and not costs related to the administration of other monetary
benefits.
This concludes my statement, Mr. Chairman. I would be happy to
entertain any questions you or the other Members of the Committee may
have.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Aument.
I want you to know that we are glad to have also
accompanying you Dr. Wiebe and Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Aument, for U.S. veterans residing in other countries,
is there an adjustment made to reflect the average income in
the country where the veteran is living?
Mr. Aument. No, there is not, Mr. Chairman. I believe today
we have around 46,000 veterans who reside abroa. Many reside in
countries where the cost of living is less than the United
States, and many reside in countries where the cost of living
is greater than the United States. We have considered this in
the past and did not really consider that to be analogous to
the situation that we have with Filipino veterans because the
Congress has recognized a specific distinction with respect to
the Philippine veterans as it is embodied in law today. We had
certainly taken that into account, but did not consider it to
be an analogous situation.
Chairman Akaka. Mr. Aument, would VA support establishing
veterans' status for Filipino veterans in each group if there
were provisions for an adjusted level of pension that takes
into account where the veterans live?
Mr. Aument. Mr. Chairman, today we were asked to appear
before you to testify on S. 57 and we really have no other
alternative legislative proposals to offer. Certainly, that
would address one of the most significant hurdles and barriers
to this bill but, at this point, I am not prepared to state
what the Administration could support.
Chairman Akaka. Mr. Aument, will you please explain the
process that VA uses to evaluate claims for compensation made
by Filipino veterans living in the Philippines?
Mr. Aument. Certainly, Mr. Chairman. It does not look that
different than the process involved in evaluating any veteran's
claim for disability compensation today. One difference,
though, is that, for new claimants, those claiming disability
compensation for the first time, we have to establish that the
veteran filing the application was not a collaborator with the
Japanese occupying forces at that time. There is a list called
the Collaborators' List that is maintained by the Yokohama Bank
in Japan that we must initially inquire against to confirm that
the applicant was not a collaborator during World War II.
After that, the process follows the pathway that any
disability compensation claim would follow, requiring proof of
honorable service and that the medical conditions indeed are
present that the veteran is claiming as disabilities.
Chairman Akaka. There is concern about the possible impact
on workload at the Manila Regional Office should Congress
extend full veterans' benefits to all eligible Filipino
veterans of World War II. What would be the impact on the
workload at the Manila Regional Office?
Mr. Aument. It would certainly be impacted. There would be
a rather dramatic increase in claims filed. We could as much as
double the workload there. On the one hand, though, the
disability pension claims for these veterans would likely not
be that difficult to process inasmuch as these veterans are
already over age 65, so that would be a threshold that would be
relatively easy to manage. But certainly there would be impact
and we would have to be prepared to adjust staffing accordingly
or assist them in some other fashion.
Chairman Akaka. Mr. Aument, please describe the process for
medical examinations in connection with claims for compensation
in the Philippines. Have any problems arisen using local
doctors for these examinations?
Mr. Aument. First of all, most of the disability
compensation and pension exams conducted today are conducted by
the clinic in Manila that is under Dr. Wiebe's jurisdiction.
What we do have occasional problems with, and quite frankly, it
is not that rampant, are what they call claims fixers, would be
individuals who have helped the veterans on occasion obtain
falsified, fraudulent medical evidence. That is not a rampant
problem, though, and I think in some cases it is overstated.
Chairman Akaka. Senator Craig?
Senator Craig. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Ron, let me kind of take off from where the Chairman has
gone with a couple of questions. If the Committee were to
structure a pension benefit for veterans residing in the
Philippines that had the same purchasing power that a pension
recipient in the United States had, what would be the
equivalent maximum monthly benefit? Have you done any
calculations based on S. 57?
Mr. Aument. Yes, we have, Senator Craig. It has not been a
simple calculation because some of the economic statistics that
we would be turning to are not as readily available to us.
Having said that, if we take a look at what today's pension
rate for an American veteran is with one dependent, we
mentioned it was around $14,000 annually, and contrast that to
the average household income for the most recent census
statistics we had of around $46,000 annually, it is around 30
percent of the average household income. If we were to compare
that to the average household income in the Philippines of
around $2,800, you are speaking around $820 annually.
Senator Craig. OK. An $820 annualized pension, then?
Mr. Aument. That is correct.
Senator Craig. I see.
Mr. Aument. That is strictly doing the math on that,
Senator Craig.
Senator Craig. Yes. How would the VA verify income in the
Philippines if the Committee created a new means-tested
benefit?
Mr. Aument. We would employ at least some of the same
procedures that we do today for veterans in the United States.
We would require them annually to submit what we call the EVRs,
the Eligibility Verification Review information, where they
would be reporting any income that they had received during the
preceding one-year period. I would presume that we would
probably also take into account unusual medical expenses that
they may incur.
We would have to explore whether there were comparable
opportunities with the Philippine Government to use some of the
other mechanisms that we have available. For example, we do
annual matching against Social Security and IRS information to
help verify pension recipients' income in the United States. I
don't know what would be available, if anything, for similar
support purposes in the Philippines.
We would have to look into that.
Senator Craig. But these are calculations that you
currently make given the circumstance of the eligible veteran
anywhere, is that correct?
Mr. Aument. That is correct, sir.
Senator Craig. How would S. 57 affect eligibility for
access to VA's Manila Outpatient Clinic? Would timely medical
care for U.S. veterans at the outpatient clinic be affected if
all 13,000 Filipino veterans in the Philippines were given
access to that care?
Mr. Aument. I would have to defer to my colleague, Dr.
Wiebe.
Senator Craig. Dr. Wiebe?
Dr. Wiebe. Thank you, Senator Craig. If I could just pause
for a moment and express my profound respect for the bravery
and service of the Philippine soldiers and for their
partnership with the U.S. military in the defense of freedom. I
had the pleasure of traveling to the Philippines last month to
conduct a site visit of our VA clinic in Manila and it
reinforced and increased my admiration for the Philippines and
its people.
We estimate that if this legislation were to be enacted,
approximately 2,700 Filipino veterans would now have access to
the VA clinic in Manila, and that is based on the number of
those that are currently service-connected and receiving VA
support. Currently, the clinic sees approximately 3,700
patients a year. The clinic is relatively small. It is about
20,000 square feet and has a limited number of examination
rooms. With the current workload, the VA clinic staff estimate
they are at approximately 70 to 80 percent of capacity based on
the size of the building.
So if there were a relatively quick infusion of another
2,700 patients to the clinic, we would have a difficult time
absorbing that workload immediately and maintaining both the
current access and current quality of care. We could look at
options of increasing staff, extending hours into the evening,
or going to weekends, but that would pose some other additional
logistical and operational issues, including security.
In a few years, as you may know, the VA is planning to
replace its clinic and move to a much larger structure. At that
time, some of the physical capacity constraints would be
eliminated and then there would be some resource implications,
and I could discuss those if you would like.
Senator Craig. Thank you very much, Doctor, Ron.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much.
Chairman Akaka. I want to welcome Senator Murray to the
Committee this morning and I want to call on her for any
statement and questions she may have.
STATEMENT OF HON. PATTY MURRAY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
Senator Murray. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I wanted
to come by today and especially thank you for holding this
really important hearing on Filipino veterans. It has been just
too long that America has not shown its full appreciation for
these really honorable men and women who stood in harm's way
with our American soldiers and fought our common enemy during a
war many, many decades ago. As you so well have put it, they
have been denied full benefits and care that American
counterparts receive and I really hope that today's hearing
will mark a turning point in our Nation's treatment of these
heroes.
I want to thank all of the Filipino veterans who are here
testifying today. You are speaking out for so many people who
can't be here and we truly appreciate it.
Mr. Chairman, I especially want to thank a constituent of
mine who is here, Benito Valdez. If you could just stand,
Benito. He is here with his daughter. You will hear his
testimony in just a few minutes. He has an amazing, compelling
story and has been forgotten by America for too long. I hope
that, we, in this Committee, can right that wrong and move
forward this year to make sure that Mr. Valdez, as well as many
other aging soldiers, get the benefits they deserve before it
is too late.
I am a cosponsor of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act and
the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act. I believe that
those bills will help reverse the inequity that we have seen
for too long.
Mr. Chairman, I have a defense appropriations hearing at
the same time as we are having this, but I wanted to come by
today to let you know that I want to work with you, Mr.
Chairman, and whoever else to make sure that we right this
wrong that for too long has been forgotten and ignored in this
country, and I want to thank all of the Filipino veterans who
were there by our side more than 50 years ago and who deserve
now for us finally to be at your side.
Thank you very much.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much. Senator Murray, from
the State of Washington, has been a stalwart Member of this
Committee and has taken leadership here and also in
appropriations for veterans. She is very important to us.
Again, I want to thank you, Mr. Aument, for your testimony.
As I said before, your full statement will be placed in the
record. We look forward to continuing to work with you, and
again, thank you for being here. I personally want to say aloha
to Dr. Wiebe because we work together. We had a series of
hearings in Hawaii that he attended and we really appreciated
that, Dr. Wiebe. Thank you very much.
Mr. Aument. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Akaka. Now I would like to call on panel three. I
want to welcome our third panel of witnesses.
Mr. Sidath Panangala, representing the Congressional
Research Service, is accompanied by Ms. Christine Scott, also
of CRS. They have been asked to present a historical
perspective on benefits for Filipino veterans. Also on the
third panel are Ms. Maria Luisa Antonio, Executive Director of
the Veterans Equity Center, and Ms. Jenah Yangwas from Student
Action for Veterans Equity, the granddaughter of a Filipino
World War II veteran.
I want to thank all of you for being here today. Your full
statement will be in the record and appear there in the record
of this hearing. Thank you very much. You may begin.
STATEMENT OF SIDATH VIRANGA PANANGALA, ANALYST IN SOCIAL
LEGISLATION, CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH
SERVICE; ACCOMPANIED BY CHRISTINE SCOTT, SPECIALIST IN TAX
ECONOMICS, CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Mr. Panangala. Thank you, Chairman Akaka. Before I
begin, I want to introduce Christine Scott, who is here
with me today. She and I both work together on veterans'
benefits issues and we will be happy to answer any questions
you may have at the end of this hearing. Having said that, let
me begin my statement.
Chairman Akaka and Members of the Committee, my name is
Sidath Panangala. I am from the Congressional Research Service
and am accompanied by Christine Scott, also from CRS. We are
honored to appear before the Committee today.
As requested by the Committee, my testimony will first
provide a brief overview of the two Rescission Acts of 1946,
followed by information from the record that sheds light on the
intent of Congress in passing these Acts, and finally, other
relevant information from that period to help place this
legislation--the passage of this 1946 legislation--in context.
In addition to my oral testimony, I would like to include the
``Overview of Filipino Veterans' Benefits,'' this report, for
the record, as well.
Just to make it clear, CRS takes no position on the
Rescission Acts or on the current legislative proposals to
eliminate the distinction between various categories of World
War II Philippine veterans.
It appears that the 79th Congress, in passing the
Rescission Acts, sought to strike a balance by providing
certain benefits to veterans of the Commonwealth Army of the
Philippines, recognized guerilla forces which later became a
recognized part of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines,
and the New Philippine Scouts, but not the full benefits
available to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Those full
benefits included education, unemployment compensation, medical
care, domiciliary care, and other benefits provided by the laws
administered by the then Veterans' Administration.
Until the passage of these special provisions in the First
Rescission Act, VA officials believed that these Filipino
veterans met the definition of active service in the U.S. Armed
Forces and were, therefore, eligible for full VA benefits. For
example, on May 5, 1942, VA Director Frank T. Hines approved an
opinion of the Solicitor of the VA holding that members of the
Philippine Commonwealth Army were in active service of the land
or naval forces of the United States within the meaning of the
National Service Life Insurance Act of 1940.
As the Committee is aware, the United States has had a long
relationship with the Philippine Islands since they were
acquired by the United States in 1898 as a result of the
Spanish-American War. Filipinos have served in and with the
U.S. Armed Forces during a number of conflicts, including World
War II.
In 1946, Congress passed the First Supplemental Surplus
Appropriation Rescission Act and the Second Supplemental
Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act, which became collectively
and commonly known as the Rescission Acts of 1946.
The First Supplemental Act, enacted on February 18, 1946,
authorized a $200 million appropriation to the Commonwealth
Army of the Philippines with a provision limiting benefits for
these veterans to, one, the compensation for service-connected
disability or death, and the National Service Life Insurance
contracts already in force at the time. Furthermore, the Act
included a provision currently codified at Title 38 of the
United States Code that limited service in the organized forces
of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines that
were not deemed to be active service in the military or naval
or air service.
This Act further provided that any benefit paid to the
Commonwealth Army veterans would be paid at the rate of one
Philippine peso to each dollar for a veteran who was a member
of the U.S. Armed Forces. This was based on the assumption that
one peso would obtain for Philippine veterans in the Philippine
economy the equivalent of one dollar of goods and services for
U.S. veterans in the American economy. Because of the
differences between economic conditions and living standards in
the United States and the Philippines, benefits were later
limited to 50 cents on the dollar.
The Second Rescission Act, enacted on May 27, 1946,
provided that service in the Philippine Scouts, under Section
14 of the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945, often
referred to as the New Philippine Scouts, shall not have been
deemed active service for the laws administered by the VA.
CRS has examined the Congressional Record and certain
hearing records from this period. There is little background
information on the intent of Congress in passing the First
Rescission Act, as it affects veterans of the Commonwealth
Army. However, statements made by Senator Carl Hayden during
the hearings on the Second Rescission Act, which affected the
New Philippine Scouts, provide some indication on the
legislative intent in passing both these Acts, and furthermore,
the events at the time may be of interest to the Committee in
understanding the context in which these laws were passed.
Examining the hearing record leading up to the passage of
the Rescission Act, it seems clear from Senator Hayden's
statement that the passage of the first Rescission Act was
meant to balance the competing financial interests by providing
some benefits, such as pensions for service-connected
disability or death, while at the same time limiting it to
members of the Commonwealth Army that was not considered part
of the active service.
The Second Rescission Act clearly states that wartime
benefits do not apply to the New Philippine Scouts, and to
quote from these hearings, ``Because hostilities have actually
ceased, the amendment makes it perfectly clear that these
wartime benefits do not apply and the 50,000 men now authorized
to be enlisted in the New Philippine Scouts will be only
entitled to pensions resulting from service- connected
disability or death.''
In addition, the passage of the Rescission Acts may have
been influenced by other bills under consideration of Congress
at the time. In 1946, Congress passed the Philippine
Rehabilitation Act and the Philippine Trade Act. The terms of
the Rehabilitation Act required the United States to pay claims
for rehabilitation of the Philippines and war damage claims up
to $620 million. The Philippine Trade Act provided for free
trade between the United States and the Philippines until July
1954. These bills under consideration at that time would have
provided economic stability to the newly emerging nation.
According to Senator Hayden from the hearing record, I
would like to quote. ``As I see it, the best thing the American
Government can do is to help the Filipino people help
themselves. Where there was a choice between expenditures for
the rehabilitation of the economy of the Philippine Islands and
payments in cash to Filipino veterans, I am sure it is better
to spend an equal amount of money, for example, on improving
the roads and port facilities. What the Filipino veteran needs
is steady employment rather than to depend for his living upon
a monthly payment sent from the United States.''
Therefore, it seems clear that Congress considered the
Rescission Acts in the context of providing for the
comprehensive economic development of the soon-to-be-sovereign
Republic of the Philippines.
In closing, the Rescission Acts of 1946 limited veterans'
benefits to certain Filipino veterans while providing some
benefits, such as pensions for service-connected disability or
death. At the same time, Congress passed other legislation to
provide for the economic well-being of the newly emerging
nation.
This concludes my statement, Mr. Chairman. We will be happy
to take any questions you may have. Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Panangala follows:]
Prepared Statement of Sidath Viranga Panangala,
Analyst, Social Legislation, Congressional Research Service
INTRODUCTION
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Senator Craig, and Members of the
Committee, my name is Sidath Panangala from the Congressional Research
Service (CRS). I am accompanied by Christine Scott, also from CRS. We
are honored to appear before the Committee today. As requested by the
Committee, my testimony will first provide a brief overview of the two
Rescission Acts of 1946, followed by information from the record that
sheds light on the intent of Congress in passing these Acts, and,
finally, other relevant information from that period, to help place the
passage of this 1946 legislation in context. In addition to my oral
testimony, I have included the CRS Report RL33876, Overview of Filipino
Veterans' Benefits, for the record. CRS takes no position on the
Rescission Acts or on current legislative proposals to eliminate the
distinction between various categories of World War II Filipino
veterans.
It appears that the 79th Congress, in passing the Rescission Acts,
sought to strike a balance, by providing certain benefits to veterans
of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, Recognized Guerrilla
Forces (that later became a recognized part of the Commonwealth Army of
the Philippines), and the New Philippine Scouts, but not the full
benefits available to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Those full
benefits included education, unemployment compensation, medical care,
domiciliary care, and other benefits provided by the laws administered
by the then Veterans' Administration (VA). Until the passage of these
special provisions in the first and second Rescission Acts, VA
officials believed that these Filipino veterans met the definition of
active service in the U.S. Armed Forces and were therefore eligible for
full VA benefits. For example, on May 5, 1942, the VA Director Frank T.
Hines, approved an opinion of the Solicitor of the VA holding that
members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army were in ``active service''
of the land or naval forces of the United States within the meaning of
the National Service Life Insurance Act of 1940
(P.L. 76-801).
RESCISSION ACTS OF 1946
As the Committee is aware, the United States has had a long
relationship with the Philippines Islands since they were acquired by
the United States in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War.
Filipinos have served in, and with, the U.S. Armed Forces during a
number of conflicts, including World War II. In 1946, Congress passed
the first Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act
(P.L 79-301) and the second Supplemental Surplus Appropriation
Rescission Act (P.L. 79-391), which came to be collectively and
commonly known as the ``Rescission Acts of 1946.''
The first Supplemental Rescission Act, enacted on February 18,
1946, authorized a $200 million appropriation to the Commonwealth Army
of the Philippines with a provision limiting benefits for these
veterans to (1) compensation for service-connected disabilities or
death, and (2) National Service Life Insurance contracts already in
force. Furthermore, the Act included a provision currently codified at
38 U.S.C. Sec. 107(a) stating that (and I quote):
Service before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces
of the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while
such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the
United States pursuant to the military order of the President,
dated July 26, 1941 . . . shall not be deemed to have been
active military, naval, or air service for the purposes of any
law of the United States conferring rights, privileges, or
benefits upon any person by reason of the service of such
person or the service of any other person in the Armed Forces .
. .
This Act further provided that any benefits paid to Commonwealth
Army veterans would be paid at the rate of 1 Philippine peso to each
dollar for a veteran who was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This
was based on the assumption that one peso would obtain for Philippine
veterans in the Philippine economy the equivalent of $1 of goods and
services for U.S. veterans in the American economy. Because of
differences between economic conditions and living standards in the
United States and the Philippines, benefits were later limited to 50
cents on the dollar.
The second Rescission Act, enacted on May 27, 1946, provided that
service in the Philippine Scouts under Section 14 of the Armed Forces
Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 (P.L. 79-190) (often referred to as
New Philippine Scouts) shall not be deemed to have been active military
or air service for the purpose of any laws administered by the VA.
LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND CONTEXT
CRS has examined the Congressional Record and certain hearing
records from this period (1946). There is little background information
on the intent of Congress in passing the first Rescission Act, as it
affects veterans of the Commonwealth Army. However, statements made by
Senator Carl Hayden during hearings on the second Rescission Act, which
affected New Philippine Scouts, provides some indication of the
legislative intent in passing both Rescission Acts. Furthermore, other
events at the time may be of interest to the Committee, in
understanding the context in which the Rescission Acts were considered.
Examining the hearing record leading up to the passage of the
second Rescission Act, it seems clear from Senator Hayden's statements
that the passage of the first Rescission Act was meant to balance
competing financial interests by providing some benefits, such as
pensions for service-connected disability or death, and also an
appropriation of $200 million for the Commonwealth Army of the
Philippines. However, to reduce the U.S. liability for future benefits,
language was included stating that service by members of the
Commonwealth Army was not considered active military, naval or air
service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The hearings (on the second Rescission Act) also clearly indicate
that most wartime benefits do not apply to New Philippine Scouts. To
quote from these hearings:
. . . Because hostilities have actually ceased, the amendment
makes it perfectly clear that these wartime benefits do not
apply and the 50,000 men now authorized to be enlisted in the
[New] Philippine Scouts will be entitled only to pensions
resulting from service-connected disability or service-
connected death.
In addition, the passage of the Rescission Acts may have been
influenced by other bills under consideration by Congress at that time.
In 1946, Congress passed the Philippine Rehabilitation Act (P.L. 79-
370) and the Philippine Trade Act (P.L. 79-371). The terms of the
Rehabilitation Act required the United States to pay claims for
rehabilitation of the Philippines and war damage claims up to $620
million. Of this sum, $220 million was allocated for repair of public
property. The remaining $400 million was allocated for war damage
claims of individuals and associations. The Philippine Trade Act
provided for free trade between the United States and the Philippines
until July 3, 1954. These bills under consideration at the time would
have provided economic stability to the newly emerging nation.
According to Senator Hayden in the hearing record, (and I quote):
As I see it, the best thing the American government can do is
to help the Filipino people to help themselves. Where there was
a choice between expenditures for the rehabilitation of the
economy of the Philippine Islands and payments in cash to
Filipino veterans, I am sure it is better to spend any equal
sum of money, for example, on improving the roads and port
facilities. What the Filipino veteran needs is steady
employment rather than to depend for his living upon a monthly
payment sent from the United States.
Therefore, it seems clear that Congress considered the Rescission
Acts in the context of providing for the comprehensive economic
development of the soon to be sovereign Republic of the Philippines.
In closing, the Rescission Acts of 1946 limited veterans' benefits
to certain Filipino veterans, while providing some benefits such as
pensions for a service-connected disability or death to veterans of the
Commonwealth Army and New Philippine Scouts. At the same time Congress
passed other legislation to provide for the economic well being of the
newly emerging nation.
This concludes my statement, Mr. Chairman. We would be happy to
answer any questions you may have.
______
[The CRS Report for Congress on the Overview of Filipino Veterans'
Benefits follows:]
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Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much.
And now, Ms. Maria Luisa Antonio, Executive Director of the
Veterans Equity Center.
STATEMENT OF MARIA LUISA ANTONIO,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VETERANS EQUITY CENTER
Ms. Antonio. Chairman Akaka and distinguished Members of
the Committee, good morning. Thank you for giving me the
opportunity to speak before you on the Filipino veterans issue.
My name is Luisa Antonio. I am the Executive Director of the
San Francisco Veterans Equity Center, a 7-year-old agency in
San Francisco providing direct services to Filipino World War
II veterans and their families.
I am also speaking on behalf of the National Network for
Veterans Equity, a coalition of different organizations
advocating justice and equity for Filipino veterans. For the
last 7 years, both NNVE and VEC have been advocating for the
passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
Mr. Chairman, I have both the honor and the pleasure of
serving the Filipino World War II veterans in my capacity as
the staff of the Filipino Veterans Equity Center. These war
heroes' stories have contributed to my knowledge beyond history
books and documentaries. I am grateful to those who can bear to
remember the bitter and painful memories of the tragedies of
war and the sacrifices made under the United States flag to
preserve freedom and democracy. Indeed, their stories have
driven me to commit myself to serve our war heroes, the
Filipino World War II veterans.
But I am also saddened by the fact that these heroes in
their advanced age are forced to fight for the right to be
recognized for the services they have rendered to this country.
The face of struggle to pass the equity bill is in each and
every veteran we serve at the Center. Every time a veteran
receives a denial for his claim with the Department of Veterans
Affairs, every time a staff hands a loaf of bread to a hungry
veteran, and every time I console a widow who does not have
enough money to bury her husband, I tend to wonder how the
United States can forget the sacrifices made for this country
and how this country can turn her back on its legal and moral
obligation to those who made these sacrifices. I also ask
myself how the Filipino veterans remain loyal to this country
after all these years of injustice.
Yes, Mr. Chairman, these veterans remain loyal to the
United States. Their belief in the democratic process speaks of
their commitment to fight and gives them hope that the same
process can grant them the justice they deserve, the
recognition for their
services.
A number of legislations have been passed since 1999 giving
certain Filipino veterans certain benefits, such as the special
veterans benefits also known as the SSI extension law, access
to the VA Health Care System, and burial in national
cemeteries. However, Filipino veterans are still not classified
as U.S. veterans, making them ineligible to receive pension
from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Consequently, these
veterans are dependent on Supplemental Security Income, soup
kitchens, and service agencies such as the Veterans Equity
Center for support services.
Based on a Department of Veterans Affairs study in January
2001, the estimated total number of Filipino World War II
veterans in the United States is 13,849, of which 50 percent
live in California. Today, the estimated number of Filipino
veterans drastically dropped to about 7,000 in the United
States and 13,000 in the Philippines. That is the projected
number of veterans in 2010, and we are in 2007.
With very few Filipino veterans remaining, our community
stands at the shoulders of our heroes and renewed our
commitment to fight with them. We, the younger generation, have
become soldiers with a mission and we will not stop until full
equity is achieved.
Honorable Members of the Committee, this is your only
opportunity to impact the lives of the remaining veterans.
Now is the time to act. Now is the time to put an end to
this injustice. And now is the time to pass the Filipino
Veterans Equity Act. Thank you.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Ms. Antonio follows:]
Statement of Luisa Antonio, Executive Director,
San Francisco Veterans Equity Center
Chairman Akaka, and distinguished Members of the Committee, good
morning. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak before you on
the Filipino World War II Veterans issue. My name is Luisa Antonio. I
am the Executive Director of the San Francisco Veterans Equity Center--
a 7-year-old agency in San Francisco providing direct services to
Filipino World War II veterans and their families. I am also speaking
on behalf of the National Network for Veterans Equity--a coalition of
different organizations advocating justice and equity for the Filipino
Veterans. For the last 7 years NNVE has been advocating for the passage
of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Committee, I have both the honor and
the pleasure of serving the Filipino World War II Veterans in my
capacity as a staff of the San Francisco Veterans Equity Center. These
war heroes' stories contributed to my knowledge beyond what history
books and documentaries have offered. And I am grateful to those who
can bear to remember the bitter and painful memories of the atrocities
of war and the sacrifices made under the United States Flag to preserve
freedom and democracy. Indeed their stories have driven me to commit
myself to serve our war heroes--the Filipino World War II veterans. But
I am also saddened by the fact that these heroes, in their advanced
age, are still forced to fight for their right to be recognized for the
services they have rendered to this country.
The face of the struggle to pass the equity bill is in each and
every veteran we serve at the Center. Every single time a veteran
receives a denial for his claim with the Department of Veterans
Affairs, every single time a staff has to hand a loaf of bread to a
hungry veteran, every time I hold a hand of a widow who does not have
enough money to bury her husband, I tend to wonder how the United
States can forget the sacrifices made for this country and how this
country can turn her back on its legal and moral obligation to those
who made those sacrifices. I also ask myself how the Filipino veterans
remain loyal to this country after all these years of injustice. Yes,
ladies and gentlemen of the Committee, these veterans remain loyal to
the United States. Their belief in the democratic process speaks of
their commitment to fight and gives them hope that the same process can
grant them the justice they deserve--the recognition for their
services.
A number of legislations have been passed since 1999 giving
Filipino Veterans certain benefits such as Special Veterans Benefits
(a.k.a. SSI Extension law), access to the VA healthcare system, and
burial in national cemeteries. However, Filipino Veterans are still not
classified as U.S. Veterans making them ineligible to receive pension
from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Consequently, these veterans
are dependent on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), soup kitchens and
service agencies such as the Veterans Equity Center for support
services.
Based on the Department of Veterans Affairs Study in January 2001,
the estimated total number of Filipino World War II Veterans in the
United States is 13,849 of which 50 percent live in California. Today
the estimated number of Filipino Veterans drastically dropped to about
7,000 in the United States and about 13,000 in the Philippines--the
projected number of veterans in 2010. With very few Filipino Veterans
remaining, our community stand on the shoulders of our heroes and we
have made a renewed commitment to fight with them. We, the younger
generation, have become soldiers with a mission. And we will not stop
until full equity is achieved. Honorable Committee Members, now is your
only opportunity to impact the lives of the remaining veterans. Now is
the time to act, now is the time to put an end to this injustice, now
is the time to pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Ms. Maria Luisa
Antonio.
Now we will hear from Ms. Jenah Yangwas, who is the
granddaughter of a World War II veteran, representing Student
Action for Veterans Equity. Jenah?
STATEMENT OF JENAH MARI PALOY YANGWAS, STUDENT ACTION FOR
VETERANS EQUITY
Ms. Yangwas. Thank you. Good morning, Chairman Akaka and
distinguished Members of the Committee. My name is Jenah Marie
Paloy Yangwas and I am here on behalf of S.A.V.E., Student
Action for Veterans Equity, which has worked tirelessly on the
Full Equity campaign. I am truly honored to be here today as I
represent the youth and my generation's voice on this issue.
The Brown Ribbon Campaign was started by SAVE in 2001 by a
nationwide student-led and organized coalition made of students
and youth advocates to signify the importance of equity for the
heroes that have fought for us.
My family's roots and loyalty to the American flag is
undeniable. My father, still living, served under the U.S. Navy
for 20 years. I am a granddaughter and niece of Filipino World
War II veterans. My paternal grandfather, Santiago Yangwas,
served as a captain for the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East.
My uncle, Benjamin Carrido, served as a guerilla. And my
maternal grandfather, Dionisio Paloy, was a Bataan Death March
survivor. Although all of them are now passed, I recognize the
incredible strength of our heroes. Our fight here today was
their fight yesterday.
Before war had started in the Pacific, my grandfather
Dionisio Paloy was employed as a mechanic in Baguio City.
Shortly thereafter, he was called to duty and became a driver
at the local American military base, Camp John Hay. His job was
to transport ammunition from Baguio to Bataan.
During the Fall of Bataan, he was caught and he became a
prisoner of war. He was placed in a concentration camp, where
he was enslaved, forced to work in the fields to care for
carabao with little or no food. He and nine of his comrades
were able to escape. It took them months to get back home to
Baguio City, as the terrain was mountainous and steep. Only
four of the ten men reached Baguio. They were all mere
skeletons and bones. My grandfather was the only man to survive
the escape, as the others perished from hunger and thirst
shortly thereafter.
We each hold a story, a story of struggle, a story of our
soldiers witnessing the brutalities of war. Many of us come
from points in history where our elders tell us about the great
sacrifices and undoubted courage they have made in order for us
all to be here today. We are here to attest to the heroic
strength and sacrifices our soldiers have made.
My grandfather's story is not isolated. He, like many
others, had witnessed his countrymen fight bravely alongside
American soldiers. He witnessed countless others die brutally
in war. He joined forces with the United States to defend the
homeland he loved. The sacrifices that our heroes have made are
undeniable. As a community worker in San Francisco, I have been
there to witness my heroes die at an alarmingly fast rate. I
have been there to coordinate memorial services, to comfort the
wives with their loss. We cannot wait any longer.
I am so proud to see my generation believe in this fight.
Equity is so very important. Passage of the 1946 Rescission Act
stripped away full veterans' benefits for Filipinos who were
entitled. This stripped away the dignity of all the men and
women that have fought under U.S. command. We are here to say
that our soldiers will never be alone in this battle.
Passage of S. 57, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007,
is important to us all and it has been long overdue. Sixty-one
years is 61 years too late. Our heroes deserve full equity now.
The courage, perseverance, and sacrifices made by these brave
men and women who took it upon themselves to defend the islands
against violent occupation are truly remarkable.
Lastly, we are here to stand up for them for what is right
and for what is just. We are here to demand justice and full
equity. We are proud of our soldiers, our history, our fight.
Our heroes will truly never be forgotten. Thank you.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Ms. Yangwas follows:]
Prepared Statement of Jenah Mari Paloy Yangwas, SAVE Member,
and Granddaughter of a Filipino WWII Veteran
I am here on behalf of S.A.V.E., Student Action for Veterans
Equity, which has worked tirelessly on the Full Equity campaign.
Today marks the 65th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan. During this
time, the Philippine Islands was also U.S. soil. Tens of thousands of
American and Filipino soldiers were captured by Japanese forces and
were forced to endure the Bataan Death March. Those captured were
confined in concentration camps and pressed into forced labor.
Thousands died along the way, while some were killed brutally. For
months prior, these soldier who saw no difference if they were Filipino
soldiers, American soldiers were heroically able to hold off the
Imperial forces but on April 9, 1942, they were all forced to
surrender.
My family's roots and loyalty to the American flag is undeniable.
My father, still living, served under the U.S. Navy for twenty years. I
am a granddaughter and niece of Filipino WWII Veterans. My paternal
grandfather, Santiago Yangwas served as a Captain for the U.S. Army, my
uncle Benjamin Carrido served as a guerilla, and my maternal
grandfather, Dionisio Paloy was a Bataan Death March survivor. Although
all of them are now passed, I recognize the incredible strength of our
heroes. Our fight here today was their fight yesterday!
Before war had started in the Pacific, my grandfather, Dionisio
Paloy, was employed as a mechanic in Baguio City. Shortly thereafter,
he was called to duty and became a driver at the local American
military base, Camp John Hay. His job was to transport ammunition from
Baguio to Bataan.
During the Fall of Bataan, he was caught and he became a prisoner
of war (POW). He was placed in a concentration camp where he was
enslaved, forced to work in the fields to care for the carabao (water
buffalo) with little or no food. He and nine of his comrades were able
to escape. It took them months to get back home to Baguio City, as the
terrain was mountainous and steep. Only four of the ten men reached
Baguio. They were all mere skeletons and bones.
My grandfather was the only man to survive the escape as the others
perished from hunger and thirst shortly thereafter.
We each hold a story, a story of struggle, a story of our soldiers
witnessing the brutalities of war. Many of us come from points in
history where our elders tell us of the great sacrifices and undoubted
courage they have made in order for us all to be here today. We are
here to ``Remember Bataan,'' to attest to the heroic strength and
sacrifices our soldiers have made.
My grandfather's story is not isolated. He, like many others, had
witnessed his countrymen fight bravely alongside American soldiers. He
witnessed countless others die brutally in war. He joined forces with
the U.S. to defend the homeland he loved.
On this day, we are here to remember the sacrifices that OUR heroes
have made! As a community worker in San Francisco, I have been there to
witness my heroes die at an alarmingly fast rate. I have been there to
coordinate memorial services and to comfort their wives with their
loss. We cannot wait any longer!
I am so proud to see my generation believe in this fight. EQUITY is
so very important. Passage of the 1946 Rescission Act stripped away
``full veteran's benefits'' for Filipinos who were entitled. This
stripped away the dignity of all the men and women that fought under
U.S. command. We are here to say that our soldiers will never be alone
in this battle. Passage of H.R. 760 and S. 57 is important to us all
and it's been long overdue. Sixty-one years is 61 years too late! Our
heroes deserve FULL EQUITY now!
The courage, perseverance and sacrifice made by these brave men and
women who took it upon themselves to defend the islands against violent
occupation are truly remarkable. We are here to standup for them, for
what is right and just. We are here to demand justice and full equity!
We are proud of them--our history, our fight, our heroes will TRULY
never be forgotten!
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Ms. Yangwas.
I want to thank all of you for your historical perspective
on benefits of Filipino veterans, and now I have some questions
for you.
Mr. Panangala, from your review of the relevant history, is
it your understanding that the Filipinos who fought alongside
the United States military in the Philippines were under the
authority of the Government of the United States?
Mr. Panangala. The Presidential directive that was issued
by President Roosevelt at that time was to give General Douglas
MacArthur, who was the commanding general, authority over the
forces in the Pacific. As part of that executive order, the
Filipino nationals, as well, were incorporated into fighting
alongside the U.S. forces.
Now, there is a distinction between the different groups
that we need to understand here. The old Philippine Scouts were
there before the United States had started the process of
getting them independence. Then by the time they were in the
Second World War, we were also in the process of giving them
independence because the Philippine Independence Act had
passed. So at that time, we got caught in the middle where we
had to--where everyone came to fight alongside the U.S. under
General Douglas MacArthur, so therefore, there was authority.
He went by the President to bring the forces together.
But then eventually when we had to decide upon how would we
draw the line between the benefits, then we distinguished
between the Old Scouts, the Commonwealth Army of the
Philippines, who were generally recruited at the time of the
process of independence, and the New Philippine Scouts, who
knew exactly when they were coming on board that they would be
eventually returning back into the Sovereign Republic of the
Philippines.
Chairman Akaka. It seems that there was a time when
Filipinos felt that they were being regarded as U.S. veterans.
Based on your review, Mr. Panangala, of the history relating to
those Filipinos who served with the U.S. forces during World
War II, do you believe that these individuals were given an
indication that they would be regarded as veterans of the U.S.
military upon the completion of their service?
Mr. Panangala. There was--in the record, there was a study
done by the Judge Advocate General in 1973 that had looked at
the history of this. In some instances, there were messages
transmitted by General Douglas MacArthur saying that there were
certain benefits that they would be regarded as veterans of the
U.S. Armed Forces.
But at the same time, there was confusion, I think, when
the Committee discussed this legislation in 1946. They wanted
to find out what was the current legal status of these veterans
and that is when the VA, when Senator Hayden turned to the VA
and asked the question and the VA's understanding was that
these veterans would be considered U.S. veterans. But the
Senate wanted to make it absolutely clear because of the
confusion prevailing at that time that we would start somewhere
and clear the slate, and I think that was one of the
indications, at least from looking at the record, that
legislative intent was to start somewhere, and that somewhere
was to include and say, OK, we will give you these benefits but
then we are going to deem you not active service because we
would be making the commitment to long-term obligations of the
U.S. Government on behalf of the Philippine veterans,
especially for those new veterans who would be recruited at
that time.
Chairman Akaka. In 1946, there was the Rescission Act that
was passed by Congress that changed the status of Filipino
World War II veterans. Again, based on your understanding of
what happened in 1946, is it accurate to say that the
Rescission Acts of 1946 changed the existing relationship
between some Filipino veterans and the U.S. Government so as to
remove their status as U.S. veterans?
Mr. Panangala. From the Congressional Record, or from the
Congressional hearings at that time, there doesn't seem to be
any indication of that. That would be something that we would
have to defer to the DOD or the VA to make that distinction, if
that was the case.
Chairman Akaka. Ms. Antonio, how would the lives of the
Filipino veterans you work with be affected by receiving a VA
non-service-connected pension and other VA benefits?
Ms. Antonio. Well, two things, Mr. Chairman. One, it would
restore their pride. They are very patriotic. They are very
proud of fighting under the United States flag. So that will
restore that.
The second one is more on getting them, if they were
declassified as veterans, they will be declassified as welfare
recipients, because right now, the United States is not
providing anything because they are heroes. They are providing
some kind of welfare because they are over 65, they are U.S.
citizens, and they are indigents. So they will be removed from
that classification.
And third, the pension. It will give them an option,
because right now because of the restrictive rules of SSI, they
can only live here in the United States and a lot of them are
separated from their families, making it very difficult for
them, not having support
services.
So those are the three things that come to mind when it
comes to the impact of having non-service-connected disability
pension.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you.
Ms. Yangwas, as a community worker who serves the Filipino
community and as the relative of one of the veterans who fought
for the cause of freedom in World War II, please describe your
understanding of the impact of the Rescission Acts on the
Filipino community.
Ms. Yangwas. Visibly, how can you fully address the impact
of 61 years of lost time? Time has made veterans socially
dependent on social services, for instance, the soup kitchens
for nutritional meals, difficulties accessing housing, where
many I have worked with lived in the most roughest
neighborhoods in San Francisco. The Rescission Act granted no
access to veterans' housing benefits. When veterans became
sick, they were turned away from the VA.
If the Rescission Act was never passed, veterans granted
equity over 60 years ago, I would see my heroes not dependent
on SSI to survive. Veterans would have been an active member of
the working force.
Lastly, how can I really capture the impact of being a non-
recognized veteran? For so many, the hardest part for us all is
seeing so many veterans pass away, including my own family
members, without equity. As each veteran passes, dignity can
never be restored. We need to pass full equity now for all
those who have fought for this country.
Chairman Akaka. Well, I thank you very much and I want to
thank this panel for your historical perspective of the
Filipino veterans. Thank you so much for coming before this
Committee with your testimony. Thank you.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. Now, I would like to call on panel four.
These panelists are all World War II veterans. Welcome to
this Committee.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. Mr. Manuel Braga, Commander, Filipino World
War II Veterans Federation of San Diego County. Also, Mr.
Artemio Caleda, President, World War II Filipino-American
Veterans and Auxiliary of Hawaii. Welcome and aloha to you, Mr.
Caleda. Mr. Avelino Asuncion, who is presenting testimony on
behalf of Mr. Patrick Ganio, who is President of the American
Coalition for Filipino veterans, and Benito Valdez, from the
Filipino Community of Seattle. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel
Edwin Ramsey, U.S. Army, Retired, will be testifying by video.
I want to welcome all of you veterans to this hearing. I
want to thank all of you for being here today. I want you to
know that your full statement will appear in the record of the
hearing and I would like to ask you to give your testimony in
the order that I called you to the table. The first one will be
Mr. Manuel Braga.
STATEMENT OF MANUEL B. BRAGA, COMMANDER, FILIPINO WORLD WAR II
VETERANS FEDERATION, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Mr. Braga. Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the
Committee. My name is Manuel B. Braga, former Staff Sergeant,
Philippine Scouts, Army of the United States. I am currently
the Commander of the Filipino World War II Veterans, Federation
of San Diego County.
In 1942, during the defense of the Philippines against the
Japanese in the Battles of Bataan and Corregidor, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt promised the Filipinos who were inducted
into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East, or USAFFE,
on July 26, 1941, that their loyalty to the United States shall
be amply rewarded.
We fought side-by-side with the American brothers-in-arms
and remained loyal to America even after the defense of the
islands was abandoned by the Joint Chiefs in favor of primarily
defeating the Axis powers in Europe. Left to withstand the
relentless and brutal onslaught of a far superior enemy, both
in numbers and war materiel, Bataan finally surrendered,
followed shortly by Corregidor. The sick and starved Filipino
and American soldiers, not being made of impervious steel,
reluctantly laid down their arms and sadly went into captivity.
But even after going through the humiliation of defeat and
surviving the hell that was the Death March and countless
atrocities in Japanese concentration camps, we continued to
resist the enemy. As guerrillas, some led by U.S. officers who
refused to surrender, we relentlessly harassed the Japanese
Imperial Army unmindful of the indescribable hardship of trying
to survive in the jungles and mountains with not only the
Japanese as enemies, but natural dangers, diseases, and
starvation, as well. We fought on until General Douglas
MacArthur made good on his promise to return in 1945.
While in the thick of the fight against the forces of
Japan, buying precious time for the U.S. to strike a
counterblow, a very appreciative Congress enacted in 1944 what
is now known as the GI Bill of Rights, thus paving the way for
Roosevelt to fulfill his promise to us Filipinos of a just
reward for our sacrifices. The Filipino soldiers, like all non-
Americans who were serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, were
entitled under the GI Bill to full veterans' benefits and
include naturalization as U.S. citizens.
Victory finally came in September 1945. The guns fell
silent. It was time to go home. We who survived shed our
uniforms and turned in our arms and most of us went back to
civilian life. But before the official end of that great
conflict, some 50,000 Filipinos were recruited by the U.S. Army
and were inducted into the Philippine Scouts. The Old Scouts
organized in 1901, who made a name for themselves in Bataan,
were integrated into the regular U.S. Army, and the New Scouts
were used as occupation troops in Japan, its territories, and
possessions which came under U.S. control.
But suddenly, an ungrateful U.S. Congress introduced a
rider to the GI Bill of Rights, the now infamous Rescission Act
of 1946, unceremoniously taking away from the Filipino veterans
and members of the New Philippine Scouts all benefits, rights,
and privileges granted under the GI Bill and declaring the
wartime of these veterans as not active service in the U.S.
military. The Rescission Act of 1946 targeted only the
Filipinos because other aliens, Europeans and Asians in World
War II, were not affected. Thus began in 1946 the 61-year
uphill struggle of the Filipino World War II veterans for
recognition of their wartime services in the U.S. Army.
In 1946, there were about 250,000 Filipino World War II
veterans. There are no more than 20,000 of us at this time.
About 7,000 who opted to become U.S. citizens are residents of
the U.S. trying hard to survive on their meager Supplemental
Security Income, while there remain in the Philippines about
13,000 survivors receiving no benefits of any kind from the
U.S. Government.
Today, we Filipino World War II veterans after six long
decades see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light used
to be always an oncoming train. H.R. 760, the Filipino Veterans
Equity bill, ha passed through a Committee in the House and on
this very day this Committee is conducting this historic
hearing on S. 57, the Senate version of H.R. 760.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of this Committee, for
inviting me here today. I plead with you, on behalf of all my
fellow Filipino World War II, veterans to enact this bill into
law and restore all the benefits previously granted to us under
the GI Bill of Rights but taken away by the Rescission Act of
1946, along with our dignity and honor. Please do not make a
distinction between Filipino World War II veterans who opted
for U.S. citizenship and are residing in America from those who
remain Filipino citizens and stayed behind in the Philippines.
All of us fought for America against a common enemy and all of
us should be entitled to the same benefits irrespective of our
citizenship and/or place of
residence.
Most of us are now advanced in age, sick and frail, living
in abject poverty, but we share one thing in common.
We all willingly laid our lives on the line of this country
in World War II. Thank you for your effort to correct this
historic wrong committed against us. Thank you for not waiting
until all of us Filipino World War II veterans are gone before
taking action on our pleas. There are only a few of us left and
we are dying every day. Soon, there will be no more.
Helping us now would not really entail a big expense for
Uncle Sam because our number has been severely depleted. Any
appropriation you may now approve to assist us in our twilight
years would diminish on a year-to-year basis as our number
continues to dissipate. Please do not think about this in terms
of money. Think about restoring our dignity, honor, and self-
respect.
As I conclude my testimony today, I thank you once again,
Senator Akaka and all the Members of the Senate Veterans
Affairs Committee for giving us the opportunity to be heard.
Good bless you and God bless the United States of America.
Thank you.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Braga follows:]
Prepared Statement of Manuel B. Braga, Commander,
Filipino World War II Veterans Federation, San Diego County
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of this Committee.
My name is Manuel B. Braga, former SSgt Philippines Scouts, Army of
the United States. I am currently the Commander of the Filipino WWII
Veterans Federation of San Diego County.
In 1942, during the defense of the Philippines against the
Japanese, in the Battles of Bataan and Corregidor, President Franklin
D. Roosevelt promised the Filipinos who were inducted into the United
States Armed Forces in the Far East or USAFFE, on July 26, 1941, that
their loyalty to the United States shall be amply rewarded.
We fought side by side with our American brothers-in-arms and
remained loyal to America even after the defense of the Islands was
abandoned by the Joint Chiefs in favor of primarily defeating the Axis
Powers in Europe.
Left to withstand the relentless and brutal onslaught of a far
superior enemy, both in numbers and war materiel, Bataan finally
surrendered, followed shortly by Corregidor. The sick and starved
Filipino and American soldiers, not being made of impervious steel,
reluctantly laid down their arms, and sadly went into captivity.
But even after going through the humiliation of defeat, and
surviving the hell that was the Death March and countless atrocities in
Japanese concentration camps, we continued to resist the enemy. As
guerrillas, some led by U.S. officers who refused to surrender, we
relentlessly harassed the Japanese Imperial Army unmindful of the
indescribable hardships of trying to survive in the jungles and
mountains, with not only the Japanese as enemies but natural dangers,
diseases and starvation as well. We fought on until General Douglas
MacArthur made good on his promise to return in 1945.
While in the thick of the fight against the forces of Japan, buying
precious time for the U.S. to strike a counterblow, a very appreciative
Congress enacted in 1944, what is now known as the GI Bill of Rights
thus paving the way for Roosevelt to fulfill his promise to us
Filipinos of a just reward for our sacrifices. The Filipino soldiers,
like all non-Americans who were serving in the U.S. Armed Forces were
entitled, under the GI Bill, to full veterans' benefits to include
naturalization as U.S. citizens.
Victory finally came in September 1945. The guns fell silent. It
was time to go home. We who survived shed our uniforms and turned in
our arms and most of us went back to civilian life. But before the
official end of that great conflict, some 50,000 Filipinos were
recruited by the U.S. Army and were inducted into the New Philippine
Scouts. The Old Scouts organized in 1901, who made a name for
themselves in Bataan, were integrated into the regular U.S. Army, and
the New Scouts were used as occupation troops in Japan, its territories
and possessions which came under U.S. control.
But a suddenly ungrateful U.S. Congress, introduced a rider to the
GI Bill of Rights, the now infamous Rescission Act of 1946,
unceremoniously taking away from the Filipino veterans and members of
the New Philippines Scouts, all benefits, rights, and privileges
granted under the GI Bill, and declaring the wartime service of these
veterans as ``not active service in the U.S. military.''
The Rescission Act of 1946 specifically targeted only the Filipinos
because all other aliens (Europeans and Asians from 66 nations) who
served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II were not affected. Thus
began, in 1946, the 61-year uphill struggle of the Filipino WWII
veterans for recognition of their wartime services in the U.S. Army.
In 1946, there were about 250,000 Filipino WWII veterans. There are
no more than 20,000 of us at this time. About 7,000, who opted to
become U.S. citizens are residents of the U.S. trying hard to survive
on their meager Supplemental Security Income, while there remain in the
Philippines about 13,000 survivors receiving no benefits of any kind
from the United States Government.
Today, we, Filipino WWII veterans, after six long decades, see the
light at the end of the tunnel. That light used to be, always, an
oncoming train. H.R. 760 or the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill has
passed through Committee in the House, and on this very day this
Committee is conducting this historic hearing on S. 57, the Senate
version of H.R. 760.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of this Committee, for inviting
me here today. I plead with you on behalf of all my fellow Filipino
WWII veterans to enact this bill into law and restore all the benefits,
previously granted to us under the GI Bill of Rights, but taken away by
the Rescission Act of 1946, along with our dignity and honor. Please do
not make a distinction between Filipino WWII veterans who opted for
U.S. citizenship and are residing in America, from those who remained
Filipino citizens and stayed behind in the Philippines. All of us
fought for America against a common enemy, and of all us should be
entitled to the same benefits irrespective of our citizenship and/or
place of residence.
Most of us are now advanced in age, sick and frail and living in
abject poverty, but we share one thing in common: We all willingly laid
our lives on the line for this country in WWII. Thank you for your
effort to correct the historic wrong committed against us. Thank you
for not waiting until all of us Filipino WWII veterans are gone before
taking action on our pleas. There are only a few of us left and we are
dying everyday. Soon there will be no more. Helping us now would not
really entail a big expense for Uncle Sam because our number has been
severely depleted. Any appropriations you may now approve to assist us
in our twilight years would diminish on a year-to-year basis as our
number continues to dissipate.
Please do not think about this in terms of money. Think about
restoring our dignity, honor and sell-respect!
As I conclude my testimony today, I thank you once again, Senator
Akaka and all of the Members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee,
for giving us the opportunity to be heard. God bless you and God bless
the United States of America!
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Commander Braga from
San Diego County.
Now I would like to call on Artemio Caleda, President of
the World War II Filipino-American Veterans and Auxiliary from
Hawaii. Mr. Caleda?
STATEMENT OF ARTEMIO A. CALEDA, PRESIDENT, WORLD WAR II
FILIPINO-AMERICAN VETERANS AND LADIES
AUXILIARY OF HAWAII
Mr. Caleda. Aloha.
Chairman Akaka. Aloha.
Mr. Caleda. Good morning.
Chairman Akaka. Good morning.
Mr. Caleda. This is the voice of the more than 2,000
Filipino veterans residing in the State of Hawaii. Honorable
Chairman and distinguished Members of the Committee, my name is
Art Caleda. I am 83 years old. I was a guerilla during the war.
I am a naturalized American citizen and I am the President of
the World War II Filipino-American Veterans in Hawaii. I am
greatly honored to be here and I thank you for giving this
opportunity, and with my special thanks to my very own Senator
from Hawaii, Senator Daniel Akaka, for inviting me to appear
and testify before this Committee.
I register my endorsement of the passage of S. 57 and I
would like to also convey my thanks to our very own Senator
Inouye for introducing the original bill, S. 68, and I thank
him for his efforts for introducing today S. 57 mandating the
U.S. Government to confer full recognition and benefits to the
Filipino veterans.
Today, we are already 65 years of sacrificing the injustice
that has been treated to the Filipino veterans and it has been
introduced for how many years. The bill was denied for reason
that it has been closed by the U.S. Congress. Unfortunately,
the Rescission Act, which was the main issue on S. 57 for
amendment, the U.S. Government continued to deny, to delay the
full recognition and benefits of the Filipino veterans.
For 65 years that we have been waiting for the recognition,
the veterans have been treated unjustly and they are fading
away very fast. Many veterans have died and have taken ill.
Records of the Department of Veterans Service in Hawaii reveal
that between 15 and 20 veterans die every year. In December
2006 and January 2007, for 2 months, eight veterans died in a
short period. At present, we have now many veterans in the
hospital, bedridden.
What I want to emphasize here is that veterans are getting
older and older and they are sacrificing and awaiting the
equity bill. So the injustice has gone so far that a lot of
veterans are fading away.
I would like to cite the infamous Fall of Bataan, when
75,000 soldiers of the USAFFE, the guerrillas, and the
Philippine Scouts were lined marching over 100 kilometers along
the Bataan Death March, and close to 10,000 veterans have
sacrificed during that infamous Fall of Bataan. These events
will remain in the pages of the American history symbolizing
the sacrifice of the veterans that were serving the United
States.
Under the American standard, the veterans are living below
the poverty level. As a matter of fact, veterans in Hawaii
regularly go to food banks and they pick up some free food and
free clothing. The veteran that is living alone in his room and
he dies, he could only be noticed 2 or 3 days after when there
is a bad odor going around. The worst thing to happen is that
when a veteran dies, he remains in the morgue for two or 3
months because the family cannot retrieve him because of no
money. The veterans, therefore, are living below standard. They
cannot afford it. We resort to voluntary contributions to help
the veterans for services.
What I am driving here is that we are suffering too much
because of the injustice of the Rescission Act when it cannot
be amended. Therefore, it becomes a scapegoat of the U.S.
Government not to give us the full recognition of our benefits.
Therefore, I think time is of the essence. We are running out
of time. The old veterans will fade away.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I would like to invoke for
humanitarian reasons as equally relevant with our legal rights
and provided by the U.S. Constitution, therefore, on behalf of
the veterans, I would like to confide to you our unconditional
trust and confidence for your leadership and your advocacy to
help pass legislation of S. 57.
I would like to offer three concerns for consideration.
First, to honor the full recognition of the services of
Filipino veterans. Second, to extend the full equity benefits
that the veterans rightfully deserve. And, of course, the third
is for Uncle Sam, I refer to His Excellency President George
Bush to come to the succor of the dying veterans and to uplift
their living standard.
I think that is all, in a nutshell, for my testimony today,
Mr. Chairman.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Caleda follows:]
Prepared Statement of Art A. Caleda, President of WWII Fil-AM Veterans
and Ladies Auxiliary Hawaii Chapter
The Honorable Chairman, Distinguished Committee Members Aloha!
Good Morning.
This is the voice of my Comrades, of the more than 2,000 Filipino
veterans of World War II and Ladies Auxiliary residing in the State of
Hawaii.
My name is Art Caleda. I am 83 years old, a naturalized American
citizen residing in Honolulu, Hawaii. Currently, I am the President of
the WWII Fil-Am Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary Hawaii Chapter. I am a
retired Regional Director of Forestry in the Philippines and a retired
Sales Associate in Hawaii.
I'm honored to be here. I thank you all for this great opportunity
with my special thanks to our very own Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee Chairman, Senator Daniel Akaka, for inviting me to appear and
testify before this Committee hearing. I register my FULL support to
pass legislation of the Senate bill S. 57, the Filipino Veterans Equity
Act of 2007.
My thanks also to our very own Senator Daniel Inouye for
introducing in 1992 the original bill S. 68 with identical title and
the same language adopted in the current Senate Bill S. 57 mandating
the U.S. Government to confer full recognition and full benefits to
World War II Filipino American veterans.
However, the bill until today, failed to pass legislation and died
a natural death at the closing of the U.S. Congress session every year.
BACKGROUND
I was a Guerilla Intelligence Officer with the 11th Infantry
Regiment, of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines (USAFIP)
Philippine Army assigned in the Northern Luzon. I took my oath of
allegiance under the American flag in response to the call by the
military order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
I survived the war through blood and sacrificed with a shrapnel
wound I suffered in my lower left chin during a mission to rescue a
U.S. pilot officer, Lt. Paul Foster, of the 39th Brigade when we were
exposed in the battlefront in the middle of heavy staffing and bombing
by the Japanese troops. Many were wounded and some died during the
rescue operation.
After the Philippines was granted absolute independence on July 4,
1945, the Rescission Act of 1946 created a new battle for injustice
against the Filipino veterans of World War II when the U.S. Government
unceremoniously stripped our well-earned honor and highly deserved
benefits.
LEGAL BATTLE
In 1992, fifteen years ago today, our very own U.S. Senator Daniel
K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) introduced the original Senate bill S. 68 with
identical title and the same language adopted in the current S. 57 as
the Filipino Veterans Equity Act 2007 mandating the U.S. Government to
confer full recognition of the military service and benefits of
Filipino veterans who served with the Armed Forces of the United
States. However, the bill died a natural death at the closing of the
U.S. Congress session every year until to-date.
The inability of the ``power-that-be'' to pass legislation of the
bill apparently attributed to the failure to amend the Rescission Act
of 1946 as a scapegoat of the U.S. Government to continue denying the
Filipino veterans privilege and rights for benefits. Our long battle
for justice with the U.S. Government had been unpopularly delayed and
to think about it, justice delayed is justice denied, prejudicial to
the welfare of the Filipino veterans.
Consequently, records from the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Office of the Veterans Services, Hawaii, revealed that between 15 and
20 veterans died every year. In December 2006 and January 2007, eight
veterans died in Honolulu, Hawaii, apparently attributed to a prolonged
frustrations suffered by the veterans who are fast aging at their 80's
of age and over, most of them are sickly, bedridden and poor, solely
dependent on their SSI and Food Stamps provided by the U.S. Government.
To supplement their SSI income they collect empty cans and bottles
and sell to the recycle redemption center. They frequent food banks for
free food and second hand clothing. Some do backyard gardening to raise
vegetables. They save money for their families in the Philippines. Most
of the veterans just confine themselves within the four walls of their
one bedroom. The scenario when a veteran dies alone, he/she is noticed
because of the stinky smell after three or more days. The veterans
really live a very miserable life waiting and hoping against hope for
their equity benefits to alleviate their living from poverty.
FACTS
``On April 9, 1942--United States surrenders the Philippines
leaving 75,000 USAFFE and regular soldiers to the Bataan Death March
where close to 10,000 die along the trudge to POW camps. However, even
after the American surrender, Philippine resistance to Japanese
occupation continues.'' (Source: www.fullequity.com.)
The infamous Fall of Bataan that marked the treacherous Bataan
Death March, the surrender of Corrigidor including other military
installations and the Prisoners of War (POW) concentration camps
located all over the country will remain historical events to remember
symbolizing the sacrifices, courage, and loyalty of Filipino veterans
in defense of freedom and democracy.
The organized guerilla resistance units in coordination with the
reinforcement liberation forces exemplified their bravery and valor
throughout the intensive mopping operations against the enemy and
excelled over heavy battle until the surrender and capture of Gen.
Yamashita ``The Tiger of Malaya'' in the Central Cordillera mountain
ranges of the Mountain provinces and Baguio City.
The war was the bloodiest battle we ever experienced considering
the heavy toll of casualties. It is part of American history about the
World War II in the Philippines when President Franklin D. Roosevelt
issued the military order calling and ordering all organized military
forces of the Philippine Commonwealth government to join the Armed
Forces of the United States. Cognizant to the military order, we are
entitled to full recognition and benefits provided by the U.S.
Constitution.
However, the U.S. Government persistently continues to ignore our
military service since 1946 until to date and avoid to grant our
benefits rightfully due to us. While soldiers from 61 other nations who
fought under the American flag received their highly deserved benefits.
We, the Filipino veterans were singled out for exclusion.
It is unconceivable that Filipino veterans must be ``killed,
disabled, wounded, paralyzed, deaf, half-blind, and POW to be honored
and eligible to benefits, yet they were all confined in the hospitals
and military camps, while Filipino veterans with limbs intact and
normal who carried and sustained the battle and survived the
``Holocaust'' of war were ignored of their military service and denied
of benefits available by the U.S. Constitution. Both must be granted
equal opportunity.
Mr. Chairman and Members of this August Body, on behalf of my
Comrades, I confide to you all our unconditional trust and confidence
to your leadership and advocacy to support passage for legislation the
much awaited Senate bill, S. 57, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of
2007.
To capsulize my testimony, I profess for consideration, the
following:
1. The HUMANITARIAN aspect as equally, if not more relevant to the
legal rights of the World War II Filipino American veterans benefits
provided by the U.S. Constitution and promised by Uncle Sam.
2. The U.S. Government to rectify the injustice committed since the
Rescission Act of 1946 against the Filipino American veterans who
served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
3. To mandate the U.S. Government to confer FULL recognition of
military service of Filipino veterans of World War II who served in the
Armed Forces of the United States, under military order of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
4. The U.S. Government to grant FULL benefits to Filipino veterans
of World War II for reason of their military service in the Armed
Forces of the United States with equal benefits by the Americans
available by law of the U.S. Congress.
5. The U.S. Government to save the lives of the remaining living
Filipino veterans who are fast aging at their 80's of age and over and
most of the veterans are sickly and poor dependent solely on SSI and
Food Stamps provided by the U.S. Government.
6. To reward the Filipino veterans, much less not to be forgotten
as heroes of freedom and democracy who bravely sacrificed through blood
and life in defense of the people and nation.
7. The U.S. Government to improve the quality of life of the
Filipino veterans as naturalized American citizens to live decently
from poverty.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much.
[Applause.]
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Art Caleda from
Hawaii.
I now would like to call on Mr. Avelino Asuncion for your
testimony.
STATEMENT OF PATRICK G. GANIO, SR., PRESIDENT, AMERICAN
COALITION FOR FILIPINO VETERANS, INC.,
PRESENTED BY AVELINO ASUNCION, CHAIRMAN, SAN
DIEGO CHAPTER, AMERICAN COALITION FOR FILIPINO
VETERANS, INC.
Mr. Asuncion. Honorable Chairman Akaka and Members of the
hearing Committee, my name is Avelino Asuncion, a Filipino
World War II veteran, a prisoner of war, and retired school
superintendent living now in San Diego, California. I am now 87
years old. Allow me, therefore, to read the testimony of
Patrick G. Ganio, Sr., a Filipino American defender in the epic
Battles of Bataan and Corregidor. He is the President of the
American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, whose membership I
think is about 4,000. He is unable to be here today because of
his wife's present illness.
Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to introduce our lively
Filipino World War II veterans here today. Will you please all
stand, veterans?
[Applause.]
Mr. Asuncion. Thank you. All of these veterans, Mr.
Chairman, came from very far places to be here to attend this
hearing. I, for myself, Mr. Chairman, came from San Diego,
traveling for 9 hours through the plane.
We are greatly honored. I am glad to testify on behalf of
my fellow war veterans and 4,000 members to remedy a historical
injustice of the 1946 Rescission Act. We Filipino veterans
deserve full benefits under the equity bill, S. 57 of Senator
Inouye. We deeply thank you, Senator and the Chairman, for
cosponsoring the equity bill.
Over the past two decades, we lobbied for the full range of
benefits under the GI Bill of Rights for all of us who served
in the defense of America. We Filipino veterans see the unjust
and unfairness of the 1946 Rescission Act that the U.S.
Congress passed. This law excluded most Filipino World War II
veterans from receiving full recognition of their U.S. military
services and benefits.
We do not need to rehash this complex and emotional issue.
Simply put, our service in the U.S. Armed Forces cannot be
considered as not active under the law. We Filipino veterans
deserve to be treated as American veterans. The old reply of
budget constraints to our request for equity is not acceptable
to us.
[Applause.]
Mr. Asuncion. Mr. Chairman, for the few of us remaining
survivors, we hope and believe you won't forsake us. We are
Filipinos by birth, Americans by choice. We served loyally as
U.S. soldiers. What is the difference that prevents us from
getting benefits that our American comrades receive? Is it
discrimination, as President Truman has said?
Mr. Chairman, after a decade of our demonstration and
lobbying on Capitol Hill and the arrests at the White House to
call attention on our cause, we are at the last stage of our
campaign for equity. We want equitable VA benefits for our poor
and elderly veterans.
The major difference between what a low-income American
veteran receives in VA non-service disability pension and a
U.S.-based Filipino veteran is about $400 per month. Our
veterans survive on Supplemental Security Income of about $600
to $700 per month. An additional $200 monthly benefit would
bring our veterans to above the poverty level and to live in
dignity and honor as a citizen of the United States. This $200
monthly income for the Philippine-based Filipino World War II
veteran would bring him above abject poverty there and pay for
the much-needed food, shelter, and medicine. We conservatively
estimate it would cost about $22 million yearly.
President Truman said on February 20, 1946, when he
objected to the Rescission Act, ``We have a moral obligation to
care for the Filipino Army veterans.'' Today, Mr. Chairman and
the honorable Members of this Committee, we ask for what is due
us. Please give us the touch of your compassion and the
kindness of your act of simple justice.
Please pass our equity bill. Thank you.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Ganio follows:]
Prepared Statement of Patrick G. Ganio Sr., National President,
American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc.
Chairman Akaka, the Honorable Sen. Daniel Inouye, and Committee
Members:
I am Patrick G. Ganio Sr., a Filipino American defender in the epic
Battles of Bataan and Corregidor in the United States territory of the
Philippines during World War II.
As the national president of the American Coalition for Filipino
Veterans, I am greatly honored by your invitation. I am glad to testify
on behalf of my fellow war veterans and 4,000 members to remedy a
historical injustice of the 1946 Rescission Act. We, Filipino veterans,
deserve full benefits under the Equity bill S. 57 of Senator Inouye. We
deeply thank the Chairman for cosponsoring the Equity bill.
Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to introduce our feisty Filipino
American WWII veterans behind me today by having them stand up. They
came very far to be here.
Over the past two decades, we lobbied for the full range of
benefits under the GI Bill of Rights for all of us who served and bore
the battle in defense of America. We, Filipino veterans, see the unjust
and unfairness of the 1946 Rescission Act that the U.S. Congress
passed. This law excluded most Filipino WWII veterans from receiving
full recognition of their U.S. military service and VA benefits.
We do not need to rehash this complex and emotional issue. Simply
put, our service in U.S. Army Forces CANNOT be considered as ``NOT
ACTIVE'' under current law. We Filipino veterans deserve to be treated
as American veterans. The old reply of ``budget constraints'' to our
request for Equity is not acceptable to us.
Let me recall some relevant facts:
(1) The service we Filipino soldiers rendered in defense of the
Philippines, then a U.S. territory, broke the Japanese 50-day timetable
in 1942. We stood our ground in Bataan and Corregidor for a period of
FIVE months and won America's admiration. General MacArthur noted the
United States saved $15 billion dollars and thousands of American
lives. During 3 years of Filipino resistance to Japanese occupation
demonstrated our loyalty to our commander in chief, President Franklin
D. Roosevelt and prevented enemy forces from reaching the United States
mainland.
(2) After the war, the Senate Appropriations Committee deliberated
on the rehabilitation of the Philippines. General Bradley, the Veterans
Administrator, stated compensation benefit to Filipino veterans would
amount to $3.2 BILLION. But the committee only approved $200 million.
Hence the savings of $3 BILLION. Over the past sixty years, additional
savings were made due to increasing deaths of my comrades who never
tasted the health and pension benefits that they should have received.
Sadly, many have died without the simple fairness of getting a pension
while they lived in poverty. The reason: budget constraints. SORRY NO
MONEY.
(3) During this current battle against global terrorism, the
natural calamities around the world, billions and billions of dollars
are foreign aid flowed. But none for poor and disabled Filipino
veterans who loyally served America.
Mr. Chairman, for the few of us remaining survivors, we hope and
believe you won't forsake us. We are Filipinos by birth, Americans by
choice. We served loyally as U.S. soldiers. What is the difference that
prevents us from getting benefits that our American comrades receive?
Is it discrimination as President Truman has said?
We appreciate that U.S. Congress has restored U.S. citizenship
rights, VA burial benefits, war related injury compensation, and much
needed VA health care. Our Filipino veterans in the United States now
have their VA identification cards. However, they are missing the last
benefit.
Mr. Chairman, after a decade of our demonstrations and lobbying on
Capitol Hill and arrests at the White House to call attention on our
cause, we are at the last stage of our campaign for Equity. We want
equitable VA pensions for our poor and elderly veterans.
The major difference between what a low-income disabled American
veteran receives in VA NON-service disability pension and a U.S. based
Filipino veteran is about $200 per MONTH.
Our Filipino veteran subsists on Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
of $600 and Food Stamps. An additional $200 monthly would bring our
veteran to above the poverty level and live in dignity in the U.S.
This $200 dollars monthly income for the Philippine-based Filipino
WWII veteran would bring him above abject poverty there and pay for
much needed food, shelter and medicines. The Philippine Government has
shared in their responsibility for providing an ``old age pension'' of
less than $100 per month. We estimate it would cost about $22 MILLION
yearly to provide this last benefit to less than 10,000 Filipino
veterans in the U.S. and in the Philippines.
President Truman said on February 20, 1946, when he objected to the
Rescission Act, `` We have a morale obligation to care for the
Philippine Army veterans.''
Today, Mr. Chairman and Honorable Members of this Committee, we ask
for what is due us. Please give us a touch of your compassion and
kindness: your act of simple justice. Pass our Equity bill.
Thank you.
We will be glad to answer your questions.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Avelino Asuncion.
As I understand it, you are representing Mr. Patrick Ganio, who
is the President of the American Coalition for Filipino
Veterans, and I thank you very much for your testimony.
At this time, I would like to call on Benito Valdez from
Seattle.
STATEMENT OF BENITO VALDEZ,
FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERAN
Mr. Valdez. Honorable legislators, my name is Benito
Valdez. I am 83 years old and I am a World War II veteran.
In my unit from the Philippines, I am one of the only three
surviving members. Two of us live in Washington State.
I come before you today to seek help and understanding. Let
me begin by thanking you for allowing me this rare opportunity
to be part of the voice of the more than 200,000 forgotten
Filipino warriors of freedom.
I am an old soldier who fought the World War II that was
not ours, a war that devastated my homeland and killed
countless young men and women of my generation. That war left a
deep and bitter wound that up to this day has not been healed.
If I express frustration as I testify before you, it merely
echoes the betrayal of a soldier who has served well, but has
suffered more than 60 years.
When my unit of 100 Filipino soldiers and guerrillas helped
American commandos to free 600 American and Canadian prisoners
of war in the Philippines in Cabanatuan, in that daring raid in
the garrison of Cabanatuan, Philippines, we served with honor
and loyalty. Today, 63 years later, that loyalty and sense of
duty has not faded away. Many of us aging Filipino war veterans
believe that it is our American allies who have instead
forgotten us.
There are less than 100 of us living in Washington State.
With an estimated 5,000 Filipino World War II veterans living
in America and the 14,000 still in the Philippines, we are a
fast-fading, marginalized population. Our cry for justice has
gotten this far and we thank many advocates and supporters who
continue to stand with us.
A widower, I live alone in a small place near a chapel. My
daughter, a doctor who cannot practice in America, is here on a
temporary visa as a church worker and to take care of me. I
have petitioned for my children and have been waiting for 14
years. Meanwhile, a heart bypass has prolonged my life. I live
on Social Security Income and pray that my life is extended
some more. Each year, I am feeling weaker.
Please, honorable legislators of the United States of
America, pause a minute and think how difficult it has been for
us forgotten soldiers and our families. Many of the original
200,000 conscripted comrades of mine have passed away, angry,
disappointed, defeated. I am one of the last 20,000 still
around to carry on the final battle. Yes, we are angry, but we
are too weak now to argue or raise our voice.
Our one final appeal we make in our twilight years is to
give us what we have rightfully earned. We are not begging. We
need your help and understanding so that you will now pass laws
that will give us full veterans' benefits. That means you would
allow us to regain our dignity and to live a few remaining
years in our lives in the company of our sons and daughters in
this benevolent land of America.
I salute you all and thank you on behalf of my fellow
veterans. God bless us all.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Valdez follows:]
Prepared Statement of Benito Valdez, Filipino World War II Veteran
Honorable Legislators, thank you for giving me the opportunity to
speak before you today.
My name is Benito Valdez. I am 83 years old and I am a World War II
veteran. In my unit from the Philippines, I am one of only three
surviving members. Two of us live in Washington State.
I come before you today to seek help and understanding. Let me
begin by thanking you for allowing me this rare opportunity to be part
of the voice for more 200,000 forgotten Filipino warriors of freedom.
I am an old soldier who fought a war that was not ours, a war that
devastated my homeland, and killed countless young men and women of my
generation. That war left a deep and bitter wound that up to this day
has not healed. If I express frustration as I testify before you, it
merely echoes the betrayal of a soldier who has served well but has
suffered for more than sixty years.
When my unit of 100 Filipino soldiers and guerillas helped American
commandos to free 600 American and Canadian prisoners of war in that
daring raid of the garrison in Cabanatuan, we served with honor and
loyalty. Today--63 years later--that loyalty and sense of duty has not
faded away. Many of us aging Filipino war veterans believe that it is
our American allies who have instead forgotten us.
There are less than 100 of us living in Washington State. With the
estimated 7,000 Filipino World War II veterans living in America and
the 13,000 still in the Philippines, we are a fast-fading, marginalized
population. Our cry for justice has gotten this far and we thank many
advocates and supporters who continue to stand with us. A widower, I
live alone in a small place near a chapel. My daughter, a doctor who
cannot practice in America, is here on a temporary visa as a church
worker and to take care of me. I have petitioned for my children and I
have been waiting for 14 years. Meanwhile, a heart by-pass has
prolonged my life. I live on social security income and pray that my
life is extended some more. Each year I feel weaker.
Please, honorable legislators of the United States of America--
pause for a minute and think how dificult it has been for us old
forgotten soldiers and our families. Many of the original 200,000
conscripted comrades of mine have passed away angry, disappointed,
defeated. I am one of the last 20,000 still around to carry on the
final battle. Yes, we are angry but we are too weak now to argue or
raise our voice.
One final appeal we make in our twilight years is to give us what
we have rightfully earned. We are not begging. We need your help and
understanding so that you will now pass laws that will give us full
veterans benefits. That means that you will allow us to regain our
dignity and to live the few remaining years of our lives in the company
of our sons and daughters in this benevolent land of America.
I salute all of you and thank you on behalf of all my fellow
veterans. God
bless us all.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Valdez from
Seattle.
And now, our final testimony will be from Lieutenant
Colonel Edwin Ramsey, U.S. Army, Retired, and he will be
testifying via video.
STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDWIN PRICE RAMSEY (RET.),
WORLD WAR II VETERAN
Colonel Ramsey [via videoconference]. Thank you, Chairman
Akaka and honorable Members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs. My
name is Edwin Ramsey. I appeared before the House Veterans'
Affairs Committee on the same subject on November 5, 1993, on
July 7 in 1998, and again on February 15 of this year, where
copies of my testimony appear in more detail in the
Congressional records of those hearings.
On May the 9th of this year, I turn 90, and I will never
have another chance to contribute in some small way to
correcting a longstanding gross injustice to the Filipino
veterans of World War II. To do so, it is important that you be
aware of why I was in a unique position during that time
period.
In 1941, I was a lieutenant in the 26th Cavalry Regiment,
Philippine Scouts, a regular unit of the United States Army
with whom I fought for the Japanese landing in Lingayen Gulf
through the Battle of Bataan. After Bataan surrendered on April
9, 1942, my troop commander, Captain Joseph R. Barker II, and I
escaped and made our way to Pampanga Province in Central Luzon,
where we met Colonel Claude Thorp, whom General MacArthur had
sent out of Bataan in January to establish resistance forces
behind enemy lines. We joined Colonel Thorp and began the
guerrilla forces in Central Luzon, designated the East Central
Luzon Guerilla Area, or ECLGA, under the Luzon Guerilla Army
Forces of Colonel Thorp. After the capture of both Thorp and
Barker and their later execution, in early January 1943, I
became the commander of the ECLGA. By the time General
MacArthur returned to Luzon, it had grown to approximately
45,000 guerilla troops.
With that background, I would like to address the question
of the status of Filipino veterans and their treatment,
especially in respect to the Rescission Acts of 1946.
In July 1941, President Roosevelt authorized through the
War Department the formation of the United States Army Forces
in the Far East, or USAFFE, under the command of General
MacArthur and ordered the induction of the military forces of
the Commonwealth of the Philippines into and as part of the
USAFFE. It is impossible to see how these Filipino troops could
be Federalized into the USAFFE and not be part of the United
States Army. Further, when we inducted the Filipinos into the
guerilla forces, we required that they all swear an oath of
allegiance to the United States of America and the Commonwealth
of the Philippines.
Therefore, all those guerrillas that were recognized after
the liberation would have to have the same status. In that
connection, I question why there was a difference in the
treatment accorded to the 65,000 or so Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico troops and those from Hawaii and elsewhere who served in
the United States Army and were later treated the same as
American veterans.
The USAFFE forces fought courageously, delaying the
Japanese time table for several months instead of the 6 weeks
General Homma had been given by the Japanese High Command to
conquer the Philippines. This probably saved Australia from the
Japanese. Also, remember that only the Filipinos remained loyal
to their former colonial masters, while the Indo-Chinese turned
on the French, the Indonesians on the Dutch, and Malaya and
Burma on the British. It was this unbelievable loyalty that
provided the environment necessary to build the massive
guerilla forces that made it impossible for the Japanese to
defend in a serious way against the liberating Allied forces
and ultimately saved thousands of American and Allied lives.
General MacArthur confirmed this to me personally in a
meeting I had with him in Tokyo in March 1947. At that time, he
gave me an autographed photograph dedicated, ``To Ramsey with
the admiration and affection of his old comrade-in-arms,
Douglas MacArthur,'' my most prized possession.
For the sake of brevity today, please see my testimony
appearing in the Congressional records of the hearings of 1993
and 1998 cited above. I would especially call your attention to
President Roosevelt's request to Congress in a letter of
October 6, 1943, wherein he said, ``to make provision for the
physical and economic rehabilitation of the Philippines made
necessary by the ravages of war which the invaders have
inflicted upon them. All this is due the Filipino people in
recognition of their heroic role in this war and the political
ties which have bound us together in the past.'' It should be
remembered by us all today that this plea was made in 1943, at
a time when morale was very low worldwide, and particularly in
Asia, and there was a great deal of uncertainty in our fortunes
of war at the time.
It is my belief that had President Roosevelt lived, he
never would have sanctioned an agreement so demeaning to the
Filipinos as has resulted in the Rescission Act of 1946.
Thank you for your attention.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Colonel Ramsey follows:]
Prepared Statement of Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Price Ramsey (Ret.),
World War II Veteran
Chairman Akaka and Honorable Members of the Senate Committee on
Veterans' Affairs:
My name is Edwin Ramsey and I thank you for the opportunity to be
heard by you today. I have appeared before the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee on this same subject on November 5, 1993, on July 2, 1998,
and again on February 15th of this year, wherein copies of my
testimonies appear in more detail in the Congressional Records of those
hearings.
On May 9th of this year, I will turn 90 and I will never have
another chance to contribute, in some small way, to correcting a
longstanding gross injustice to the Filipino veterans of World War II.
To do so, it is important that you be aware of why I was in a unique
position during that time period.
In 1941, I was a lieutenant in the 26th Cavalry Regiment,
Philippine Scouts, a regular unit of the U.S. Army with whom I fought
from the Japanese Landing in Lingayen Gulf through the Battle of
Bataan. After Bataan surrendered on April 9, 1942, my troop commander,
Capt. Joseph R. Barker II and I escaped and made our way to Pampanga
Province in Central Luzon, where we met Col. Claude Thorp whom General
MacArthur had sent out of Bataan in January to establish resistance
behind the enemy lines.
We joined Col. Thorp and began the Guerrilla forces in Central
Luzon designated by Col. Thorp to be the ``East Central Luzon Guerrilla
Area'' or ECLGA, under the ``Luzon Guerrilla Army Forces'' of Col.
Thorp. After the capture of both Thorp and Barker, and later their
execution, in early January 1943, I became the commander of the ECLGA.
By the time Gen. MacArthur returned to Luzon, it had grown to
approximately 45,000 guerrilla troops.
With that background, I would like to address the question of the
status of Filipino veterans and their treatment, especially with
respect to the Rescission Act of 1946. In July 1941, President
Roosevelt authorized, through the War Department, the formation of the
``United States Army Forces in the Far East'' or USAFFE, under the
command of General Douglas MacArthur and ordered the induction of the
military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines into and as part
of the USAFFE. It is impossible to see how these Philippine troops
could be Federalized into the USAFFE and not be part of the United
States Army.
Further, when we inducted the Filipinos into the guerrilla forces,
we required that they all swear an oath of allegiance to the United
States of America and the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Therefore,
all those guerrillas that were recognized after the liberation would
have the same status. In that connection, I question why there was a
difference in the treatment accorded to the 65,000 or so Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico troops and those from Hawaii and elsewhere, who served
in the U.S. Army and were later treated the same as American veterans.
The USAFFE forces fought courageously, delaying the Japanese
timetable for several months, instead of the 6 weeks General Homma had
been given by the Japanese High Command to conquer the Philippines.
This probably saved Australia from the Japanese. Also, remember that
only the Filipinos remained loyal to their former colonial masters
while the Indo-Chinese turned on the French, the Indonesians on the
Dutch, and Malaya and Burma on the British.
It was this unbelievable loyalty that provided the environment
necessary to build the massive guerrilla forces that made it impossible
for the Japanese to defend, in any serious way, against the liberating
Allied Forces and ultimately saved thousands of American and Allied
lives. General MacArthur confirmed this to me in a meeting I had with
him at his headquarters in Tokyo in March 1947. At that time, he gave
me an autographed photo signed, ``To Ramsey with the admiration and
affection of his old comrade in arms, Douglas MacArthur.'' My most
prized memento.
For the sake of brevity here today, please see my testimony
appearing in the Congressional Records of the hearings of 1993 and 1998
cited above. I would especially call your attention to President
Roosevelt's request to Congress in his letter of October 6, 1943,
wherein he said, inter alia, ``to make provisions for the physical and
economic rehabilitation of the Philippines made necessary by the
ravages of war which the invaders have inflicted upon them. All this is
due the Filipino people in recognition of their heroic role in this war
and the political ties which have bound us together in the past.''
It should be remembered by us all today, that this plea was made in
1943, when morale was very low worldwide and particularly in Asia, and
there was a great deal of uncertainty in our fortunes of war at the
time. It is my belief that had President Roosevelt lived, he never
would have sanctioned an agreement so demeaning to the Filipinos as
resulted by the Rescission Act of 1946.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Chairman Akaka. I want to thank Colonel Ramsey very much
for his testimony. We will include his written testimony in the
record of this hearing.
Again, I want to thank this panel for your testimony and I
have one question that I would like to ask each one of you and
that is about the question of obligation. While you served with
U.S. Forces during World War II, what was your understanding of
the obligation of the United States to you after your service?
I will ask you in the order in which you spoke. Mr. Braga?
Mr. Braga. During the guerilla, 1942, I was only almost 16
and I was discharged from the guerilla in May 1945, and I
didn't receive anything. I was not recognized because when I
was called to be processed, I was already in Okinawa as a
Philippine Scout. So I was not processed. I was recruited by
the U.S. Army to be a Philippine Scout, and after training in
Okinawa, I was in Okinawa for 2 years, and after 2 years, it
was December 1948. I was transferred to Fort William McKinley
in Manila. I was attached to the 63rd Military Police. We
turned over the camp, it was Nichols Air Base and Fort William
McKinley, to the Philippine Government. And after that, we were
discharged.
And it was--I have a long story. We were discharged in
McKinley. That was May 4, 1949. After a month, I started
looking for a job. Nobody hired me because I got TB. We don't
have any physical examination when we were discharged and I got
that TB until 1993. That was healed in Honolulu. It is hard to
explain, and I don't know why the U.S. Government did these
things to us.
When we were recruited by the U.S. Army, we were promised
the same salary as the U.S. Army, but when we were already in
the service, they only gave us $25 a month. When we got our
discharge, we were demoted one rank down. I don't know why.
Now, about this pension in the Philippines, we call it old-
age pension, there were portions that were not given us,
because according to them, those who were enlisted after July
4, 1946, they are not qualified, because according to them,
they did not help the Philippine Government. Actually, the
truth is, we, Philippine Scouts, we did not serve the
Philippine Government. We served the U.S. Government. Our work
in Okinawa, reconstruction, and then working with this big
construction company in California, constructing the roads
there. I forgot the name of the construction company. We were
working together in Okinawa for two years constructing bridges,
roads, barracks, and everything and this is what happened to
us.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Braga, on your
understanding of the obligation of the United States to you
after the service.
Let me call on Art Caleda.
Mr. Caleda. Mr. Chairman, it is clearly provided in the
Military Order of my Commander in Chief, then President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, when we were ordered to join the Armed
Forces of the United States. I took my oath of allegiance under
the American flag when I joined the military of the U.S. Armed
Forces, and fought side-by-side with the American troops. My
understanding with that military order, it was a promise by no
less than the President of the United States that the services
of Filipino soldiers and now Filipino veterans are entitled for
benefits and pension. That is my understanding of the
obligation of the United States, of the U.S. Government. It was
my sworn duty to serve during the war the Government of the
United States.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you. Thank you very much, Art Caleda.
And now, Mr. Asuncion.
Mr. Asuncion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, for one, I was
recruited by virtue of the provision of the National Defense
Act of the Philippines wherein it required that all college
students attending regular classes in the universities and
schools of the Philippines had to take the ROTC, this Reserve
Officer Training Corps. Before we graduated, Mr. Chairman, from
the ROTC--I was enrolled in one of the colleges in the
Philippines--we were called to have what we called the summer
cadre training. We understood, Mr. Chairman, that our being
called to come to training during the month of April 1939,
there seems to be a war coming. We don't know who will declare
the war. So we got the training for two months.
Before we graduated from the training, Mr. Chairman, we
were already assigned our mobilization centers before we went
home from the training course. So, Mr. Chairman, because I
graduated second chair in the college, I started teaching in
the Philippines as an elementary school teacher. I want to
inform you, Mr. Chairman, that I was still 22 when I received
my transportation order for war duty. To my delight, Mr.
Chairman, I represented the spirit of young Filipinos, eager
ever to hold a gun to fight in any battle. So, Mr. Chairman,
when we were called to active duty, we never read or had known
that the United States Army through the President would
conscript us, but we were willing as young soldiers to fight.
So whether they promised us payment or not, we understood
that the U.S. Army will have to pay us because we have been
conscripted under the United States Army. And so, Mr. Chairman,
for that matter, I do not know of any time when I got any
promise of the President of the United States to be paid or
not, but just the same, the spirit of the Filipino young
soldier to fight was the idea behind driving me to the army. I
was still single when I was recruited in the army. Thank you,
Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Avelino Asuncion.
And now, Mr. Benito Valdez, your understanding of the
obligation of the United States----
Mr. Valdez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The question is very
good. What was your understanding of the obligation of the
United States to you? That is what we are here for now, Mr.
Chairman. I want to fully answer a few words, because I showed
my love to the United States by rendering services in the armed
forces. What I expect now is I also want the return of the love
of the United States to me, to us, by giving us the full
veterans' benefit. Thank you, sir.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you. Let me ask you a final question.
To each of you, please describe and talk about your interaction
with American troops and commanders during the war. Mr. Braga?
Mr. Braga. In Okinawa, ever since we were recruited, our
officers are all Americans. There are only a few Filipino
officers. All of them are Americans. When I was into the cadre
school, there are about one-half Americans.
We were about 120 and about one-half are Americans. After
graduation from the cadre school, all those Americans are our
commanders and we Filipinos are non-commissioned officers on
active appointment. But it did not take long, especially when
the trainees graduated. We got promoted actually. So when they
sent me to Okinawa, I was--but from company commander, platoon
leader, battalion commander, regimental commander, all
Americans.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Braga.
Art Caleda?
Mr. Caleda. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. After I took my oath
of allegiance under the American flag, the order was so clear
that I had to join the Armed Forces of the United States and
fought side-by-side with the American troops. In one dangerous
operation during the war, I remember on March 4, 1945, we had a
very risky mission to rescue one U.S. Air Force pilot officer
by the name of Lieutenant Paul Foster of the 39th Brigade. In
that rescue operation, we were subjected to heavy bombing by
the Japanese troops where I suffered a shrapnel wound on my
left chin and I saved the life of my comrade American officer.
And my relationship to our American troops, I was under the
command of Colonel Russell Volckman, U.S. Army, and my area
commander was U.S. Army Colonel Donald Blackburn. We were under
the command of the American troops. We were so loyal with our
comrades-in-arms. We fought during the war. We survived the
``holocaust'' of the war in battle side-by-side with the
American troops. And with the combined forces of the guerillas,
I was a guerilla then, and the reinforcement liberation forces
of General Douglas MacArthur at the time when we were
conducting continuous mopping operation, led to the surrender
and capture of General Yamashita and the liberation of Northern
Luzon.
And so it cannot be denied of our close camaradeie--it can
be said that we have exemplified a very close relationship with
the American troops with a unified sacrifice, courage and
loyalty in defense of freedom and democracy. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Caleda.
Mr. Avelino Asuncion?
Mr. Asuncion. My chance to interrelate with Americans for
years during my life in the Army was during the time I was a
prisoner of war. I remember that from the Baguio regions to
Manila, prisoners of war were brought to Manila by Japanese
boats. And in the Japanese vessel, they had to serve us food,
and it happened, my dear Chairman, that we were a little bit
treated better than the Americans by the Japanese. I was
commissioned to distribute food to the prisoners of war,
including the Americans who were with us in the boat, and
naturally, I know that the Americans were my brothers-in-arms
and so I had to give them more food. They were very thankful,
and when we reached Manila, Mr. Chairman, we were imprisoned in
the ``Bilibid Prison'' in Manila. I saw most American prisoners
were there, they came from Corregidor. Just the same, I treated
the Americans--because they were my brothers-in-arms--I used to
give them more food than what I had given to others. So I was
very thankful. In the concentration camp, in Camp O'Donnell,
Mr. Chairman, we used to get food from the headquarters, and
the same, I treated our American brothers better than what I
treated others.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Asuncion.
Mr. Valdez?
Mr. Valdez. Thank you, sir. During my enlistment, we served
during the liberation. We have rendered services in the right
flank of General Dalton Pass, the road going to the Northern
Luzon. That is, sir, where our unit was assigned during the
retreat of the Japanese. That was the time when we were at the
right flank of General Dalton Pass, assigned in a Spanish trail
in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija. That is during the liberation. And
the greatest mission we have participated in is in the rescue
of the 600 American and Canadian prisoners in Cabanatuan,
Philippines. We were awarded the Bronze Star Medal in that
retreat. That is the most important reaction I have performed,
rendered, to the American forces.
Chairman Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Valdez.
This has been a great hearing. In closing, I again thank
all of the witnesses for appearing today. I know that some of
you have traveled a great distance to be here to testify and to
witness this hearing. I want you to know that we truly
appreciate you taking the time to give us all a better
understanding of the issues surrounding the service of the
Filipino World War II veterans, and you have done that. It is
now in the record and we will proceed from here on S. 57 and
look forward to working hard on that.
So again, thank you very much.
[Applause.]
[Whereupon, at 12:08 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
----------
Prepared Statement of Hon. Harry Reid, U.S. Senator from Nevada
Mr. Chairman, I speak today in support of Senate Bill 57, the
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. This important legislation would
provide full restoration of veterans' benefits by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to surviving World War II veterans of the
Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, the Philippine Scouts, and those
individuals from the Philippines who served in the United States Armed
Forces organized resistance units.
During the Second World War, President Franklin Roosevelt signed an
executive order to draft Filipino troops into the United States Army.
When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in 1941, it was the Filipinos
who made up the majority of the troops there. Many of these men fought
alongside American servicemembers, while others battled with organized
resistance units until the liberation of these islands in 1944.
Commander Francisco Cedula, who currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada,
was one of those individuals who fought in the southern front of Luzon.
He led resistance fighters in cooperation with the United States Army
in the liberation of a concentration camp in Manila on February 3,
1945.
When the war ended, these heroic Filipino fighters, including
Commander Cedula, were stripped of their eligibility for full veterans'
benefits and have only received minimal compensation for service-
related disabilities. In the years since, our Filipino veterans have
been fighting another battle--a battle with the courts and Congress--to
receive the full benefits they deserve and were promised by the United
States Government. Current law denies many of them full VA benefits,
including pensions for low-income veterans over 65 and survivors' death
pension. Other denied benefits include veterans' health care, home
loans, education assistance, job training, and handicap adjustments for
a house or car.
Last week, Commander Cedula presented me with his book entitled
``The Endangered Species--Filipino WWII Veterans.'' This is the second
book in which he has chronicled the bravery of World War II Filipino
veterans and the subsequent struggles they faced after serving. After
speaking to Commander Cedula and listening to his personal story, I
believe that the title of his book makes a great deal of sense. These
heroic men are an endangered species. The government must fulfill its
obligations to all of our Nation's veterans and military retirees. For
me, this is a matter of basic fairness and that is why I am a cosponsor
of this legislation.
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act would allow the 50 servicemembers
in the State of Nevada and approximately 7,000 Filipino veterans
nationwide to be eligible for all veterans' benefits programs
administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Of the 250,000
Filipino veterans who fought alongside the American forces,
approximately 20,000 remain. We must fully restore the rights,
privileges, and benefits guaranteed while many of these heroes are
enjoying their twilight years.
I would like to commend my dear friend and colleague, Senator
Inouye, for more than 16 years of service to end this unfair policy. I
would also like to thank Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and
other Members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. I look forward
to working with you all on this
important legislation.
______
Prepared Statement of Hon. Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator from Ohio
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
I am glad we are holding this hearing. In my home state of Ohio,
there are approximately 13,000 Filipino Americans.
That is a small portion of the approximately 2 million Filipino
Americans nationwide. The percentage of Ohio Filipino veterans from
World War II is even less. This small number doesn't mean Ohio is not
indebted to their service.
Whether it is the Veterans Memorial on Susanna Way in New Richmond
or the Veterans Bridge spanning the Muskingum River in Zanesville, Ohio
is home to numerous monuments celebrating the heroism of our Nation's
veterans.
The Filipino veterans served our Nation with distinction. Like
other veterans, these veterans deserve our respect, our gratitude, and
our commitment to provide the compensation they have earned with their
service.
The Filipino veterans were drafted into service by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt and they answered the call of duty. They helped
defeat tyranny at a time when America needed their help the most.
After the war, many of these soldiers were denied veterans status
and deprived of the same benefits their American counterparts received.
They proudly and bravely served this Nation in war; it is our
obligation to serve them in peace time.
We have been negligent and are terribly late in providing for these
veterans who fought for the Untied States. Today, we can make things
right.
______
Prepared Statement of Hon. Bob Filner,
U.S. Representative from California
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig and Committee Members, I thank
you for holding this hearing on the ``Filipino Veterans Equity Act''
(S. 57), introduced by Senator Inouye.
The story of the Filipino World War II Veterans is well-known in
Congress: how, as residents of a territory of the United States, they
were drafted into armed service under the command of the United States
Army by President Franklin D. Roosevelt; how they fought bravely, side-
by-side with American soldiers, most notably during the epic battles of
Bataan and Corregidor; how they suffered and died during the Bataan
Death March and in prisoner-of-war camps; and how they successfully
held off the enemy, allowing the United States precious time needed to
disrupt the enemy's plan for conquest of the Pacific.
Hundreds of Congressmembers and Senators have cosponsored
legislation over the years to restore the benefits and the honor that
were stripped from many of these brave and loyal men by the Rescission
Acts passed by the 1946 Congress.
Many were appalled by this act of Congress, viewing it as unjust at
best but in truth, completely immoral. President Harry S. Truman stated
on February 20, 1946, when the Rescission Acts were passed,
``Philippine Army veterans . . . fought, as American nationals, under
the American flag and under the direction of our military leaders . . .
I consider it a moral obligation of the United States to look after the
welfare of the Philippine Army veterans.''
President William J. Clinton said, on October 17, 1996 as he signed
a Presidential Proclamation on the anniversary of the 1944 return of
the United States forces to liberate the Philippines, ``I urge all
Americans to recall the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of Filipino
Veterans of World War II and honor them for their contributions to our
freedom.''
On July 26, 2001 in his greeting to the Filipino Veterans,
President George W. Bush said, ``Filipinos fought with unwavering
loyalty . . . under the command of General Douglas McArthur . . . and
thousands gave their lives in the battles of Bataan and Corregidor . .
. During the three long years following these battles, the Filipino
people valiantly resisted a brutal Japanese occupation with an
indomitable spirit and steadfast loyalty to America.''
The issue of equity for Filipino World War II Veterans has always
been a bipartisan battle. Over the years, I have been proud to join
with Congressman Benjamin Gilman and Congressman Darrell Issa in the
introduction of the ``Filipino Veterans Equity Act'' in the House of
Representatives. Senator Inouye has carried the bill in the Senate for
many years.
We have made some progress by passing access to VA health care and
improvements in benefits for many Veterans who live in the United
States. Now, it is time for us to resolve, in bipartisan unity, to
complete the job and, once and for all, pass the ``Filipino Veterans
Equity Act.''
This must be the year to pass the Equity Bill. Once there were at
least 200,000 Filipino World War II Veterans. Now the estimate is that
there are 20,000.
We must, as a moral Nation, face this issue directly and pass
legislation to restore the benefits that were promised and earned but
then taken away. We must, as a moral Nation, face this issue directly
and pass legislation to restore the status of veteran to these
honorable men, a designation they so richly deserve.
If not now, when?
______
Prepared Statement of Hon. Michael Y. Magaoay,
State Representative from Hawaii
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and Members of the Committee,
I am unable to be with you today, due to the critical time of the State
Legislative process and so I offer my written testimony. I appreciate
you holding this hearing concerning this very significant issue. The
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 represents the solution to a
problem that has gone unresolved since 1946. As a proud Filipino
American, and as Chair of the Hawaii State Filipino Caucus I can assure
you that the Filipino community is monitoring the progress of this
measure, and are determined as ever to finally gain equity for these
veterans.
In 1941, on the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt 120,000
soldiers were drafted from the Philippine Commonwealth Army to fight
alongside the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II. These soldiers served
bravely with the promise of the same benefits as any other member of
the U.S. Armed Forces. President Truman saw it as a ``moral
obligation'' to take care of these Filipino Veterans. Unfortunately in
1946, the U.S. Congress didn't feel the same way, as they rescinded
President Truman's promise to the Filipino veterans by stripping them
of their U.S. veteran status.
The Filipino veterans of World War II are simply asking for what
they are due. What they seek is recognition of the sacrifices they have
made for this country. As I write this testimony we arrive at the 65th
anniversary of The Bataan Death March, a famous example of the
sacrifice made by the Filipino veterans on behalf of this country.
While I realize that the benefits are the issue at hand here, what I
believe to be the principal importance, is that our Nation recognizes
and honors the sacrifice and service of these Filipino Veterans. This
is a country that is built on honor and service, and so it is
unacceptable for the brave military service of these men to go
unrecognized for over 60 years.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Government of the
Philippines estimate that this year there will be less than 20,000
Filipino Veterans living within the United States and in the
Philippines. Most of them are well into their 80's and 90's and their
numbers are dwindling. Many veterans have passed on with the memory of
a promise unfulfilled. Let us take this opportunity to recognize and
honor those who remain, and grant them what they were promised all
those years ago.
As part of the Filipino package, I have introduced House and
concurrent resolutions in support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act
of 2007. We at the Filipino Caucus are urging our fellow Hawaii State
Legislators to lend their support, so that Hawaii's voice is firmly
behind the Filipino Veterans.
Again, I would like to thank this Committee for holding this
hearing. The work you are doing is invaluable in bringing awareness to
this long standing injustice. It is my hope that this 110th Congress
will see the passage of this measure so that the Filipino Veterans can
receive what they are due: equal benefits and more importantly
recognition and honor for serving this great country.
Aloha Ke Akua.
______
Prepared Statement of Amy Agbayani, Ph.D., Vice Chair, National
Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 12 (Hawaii, Guam,
and Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands)
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, as Vice Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American
Associations (NaFFAA) Region 12, I thank you for the opportunity to
present this written testimony in unified support of the Filipino
Veterans Equity Act.
NaFFAA Region 12 represents the interests of Filipinos in Hawaii,
Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands. NaFFAA Region
12 is an affiliate of the National NaFFAA, which is recognized by
Washington policymakers, private industry and national advocacy groups
as the Voice of Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United
States. We are a non-partisan, non-profit national affiliation of more
than five hundred Filipino American institutions and umbrella
organizations that span twelve regions throughout the continental
United States and U.S. Pacific territories.
NaFFAA strongly supports S. 57 and H.R. 760 that would recognize
the contributions of Filipino WWII veterans to the U.S. Armed Forces,
and reinstate to them veterans' benefits that were dropped as a result
of the 1946 Rescission Act. Your leadership is needed to bring social
justice to our aging Filipino veterans. We are proud that Mr. Art
Caleda, NaFFAA Region 12 leader, who is among the dwindling numbers of
surviving Filipino veterans, is presenting testimony today. Please
enact S. 57 and H.R. 760.
______
Prepared Statement of Bryan Andaya, Esq.,
United Filipino Community Council (UFCH)
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, as President of the United Filipino Community Council (UFCH),
I thank you for the opportunity to present this written testimony in
emphatic support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
Founded in 1959 to help Filipinos play a larger role in the State
of Hawaii, the mission of the Council is to promote a sense of unity,
friendship, camaraderie and mutual assistance among Filipinos in Hawaii
while promoting and perpetuating the Filipino heritage and culture.
Today, the Council consists of six Island Councils with jurisdiction
over 100+ Filipino organizations and a combined membership of about
10,000 from every major island in the State.
The Council had passed a resolution at our statewide annual
convention in July 2006 to support local and national initiatives to
restore parity and equity for Filipino WWII veterans' benefits that
were rescinded by the U.S. Government in 1946.
The yearlong Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission events in
2006 have raised community awareness, support and outrage at the
humiliating plight of our Filipino veterans. The surviving Filipino
veterans deserve their due social justice and no less for their loyalty
and service to the U.S. Armed Forces, in order to protect America's
diverse people and U.S. Territories. Your help to enact S. 57 and H.R.
769 is critical not only to the veterans' human dignity, but also to
the international image of America's promise to allied troops
yesterday, as well as today. Thank you for the opportunity to voice the
views of our Filipino community in Hawaii. The Council thanks you for
your public service to uphold social justice for all,
not just a few.
______
Prepared Statement of Jenny L. Batongmalaque, M.D.,
Executive Director Filipino Veterans Foundation
Mr. Chairman, Senator Akaka, and Members of the Committee, I am
Jenny Batongmalaque, a geriatrician, friend and advocate of Filipino
WWII Veterans and all Veterans and most importantly an enlightened
daughter of a Bataan Defender.
Before I validate my recommendations for policy in looking after
the survivors and the ever-increasing number of widows, I am compelled
to tell my story. I discovered a pocket diary of my father's war
memoirs and his autobiography, a month after he died in 1995 at the age
of 89. He had kept it so well during his lifetime, that when I
discovered it, it struck me as a lightning bolt that changed the course
of my life and kept my profession as a physician focused on the care of
the elderly.
When I immigrated to the United States in a tumultuous year in
America, in 1966, I was given the opportunity to pursue my highest
attainment that is to practice medicine in the United States. I was the
recipient of my father's educational benefits on account of his being a
USAFFE Veteran. These benefits came from the Philippine Veterans
Administration and that is how I completed my Medical degree.
When my father joined us in America, in 1975, he was jolted to find
out that his services were not recognized by the USVA because of an
existing law, unbeknownst to him and his comrades-in-arms. It is a law
that still exists, the Rescission Act of 1946, which has denied them
recognition of their services and therefore, their GI Bill of Rights.
As a matter of fact he was not qualified to receive health services in
the VA, because the attending clerk never heard of the USAFFE, the
United States Army Forces in the Far East. My father never spoke of
being a Veteran nor pursued any benefits in the twenty years he resided
in America, since that initial rejection in 1975.
Hence, the impact of my total ignorance of his plight as a Veteran
drove me to conduct a 10-year longitudinal study on 300 of his cohorts
in the Los Angeles County. That was in 1996. Last year, I had published
the results of that study which had been submitted to the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing last
February 15.
Seeing the rapid disappearance of the WWII Veterans, with only 10
percent left in the cohort study group and that goes extraponentially
to the population group in question in the Filipino Veterans Equity Act
of 2007, I am urgently asking Congress to consider giving them the
recognition they rightfully deserve, for the few remaining years left,
for they have lived long enough, suffered long enough and deprived long
enough as they approach their end of life.
We have noted the significant rise in numbers of widows. These are
the octogenarian women who live alone and are victims of the poverty of
neglect and want even while tending to their frail beloved Veteran.
If we go back in time to see how the wounded WWII GI soldiers were
attended to when they returned home, since they found their mothers and
sisters and wives not at home but working as Rosie the Riveters and
some other employment to make a living, the wounded Veterans were
provided a daily schedule rehabilitated in some Quonset hut at the base
during the day, to return home at night in the safe and stable embrace
of their families.
Similarly, or along simplistic lines, the plan of the Filipino
Veterans Foundation, of which I serve as its Executive Director is to
gather those in need of attention and place them in some Quonset hut or
equivalent thereof, during the day for an adult day health care
program, and at night return them safely to a stable environment
wherever they choose to live.
We want to show our returning young, 19-year-old Veterans from the
Iraqi war and all other wars that they are not to be abandoned as they
return home and advance in years to face the challenges confronting
their health, as all of them are victims of Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder, being exposed in harms way. Mr. Chairman, our Veterans ask
for so little, in return for the sacrifice they had given so that we
may all live in our own pursuits of happiness, giving us a chance to
live in peace and democracy instead of war and terrorism.
The sons and daughters of these Veterans are ready, willing and
able to return the favor by taking care of the frail elderly in
America, which will soon be a fifth of the total population in America,
projected to be much sooner than in the middle of this Century. These
sons and daughters are filled with love and gratitude of their beloved
Veterans' contribution to our democracy, and that tribute includes all
Veterans of all wars, not just Filipino WWII Veterans who are few and
far between and soon will be extinct.
So, find an empty lot for us, Mr. Chairman, whether in Central Los
Angeles, East L.A., West L.A., South Bay or the Valleys and place one
or two Quonset huts for us to demonstrate our program which will add
quality to the lives of our Veterans and you will find that when you
involve the family it will come out less expensive to our government
because that tender love in the equation is priceless, which brings us
closer to justice. And this is why I chose to be an American citizen,
where impossible dreams can come true especially when the heart is in
the right place, and in God we trust.
God Bless America!
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to express my views.
______
Prepared Statement of Cynthia C. Cabot, Board Member, Guam Liaison,
National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 12
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, as Board member and Guam Liaison to the National Federation of
Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Region 12, I thank you for the
opportunity to present this written testimony in full support of the
Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
NaFFAA Region 12 represents the interests of Filipinos in Hawaii,
Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands. NaFFAA Region
12 is an affiliate of the National NaFFAA, which is recognized by
Washington policymakers, private industry and national advocacy groups
as the Voice of Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United
States. We are a non-partisan, non-profit national affiliation of more
than five hundred Filipino American institutions and umbrella
organizations that span twelve regions throughout the continental
United States and U.S. Pacific territories.
Social justice is long overdue for Filipino World War II veterans
in Guam. As young men, they loyally responded to America's call to
serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Their bravery in guerilla warfare
played a vital role in bringing World War II to an earlier end,
avoiding further bloodshed and suffering. As they age, the impact of
rescinded veterans' benefits is taking a toll on their quality of life,
yet their patriotism to the United States is unwavering. Thus, your
support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act is also about retaining
human dignity. We look to your leadership to do the right thing. Please
enact S. 57 and H.R. 760. Your important work on the Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committee is greatly appreciated.
Prepared Statement of Arcadio Calabas, President, Illinois Veterans
Equity Center and the American Legion Filipino American Post 509
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the U.S. Senate Committee
on Veterans' Affairs:
My name is Arcadio V. Calabas. I speak on behalf of the Illinois
Veterans Equity Center and the American Legion Filipino American Post
509. The Illinois Veterans Equity Center is part of the newly formed
National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity.
I served as 3rd Lt. Field Artillery, 301st FA Regiment with ASN
021326 of the Philippine Commonwealth under the command of the United
States Armed Forces in the Far East from December 12, 1941 to June 21,
1946. My service was pursuant to the Executive Order of the U.S.
President Roosevelt dated July 26, 1941.
INTRODUCTION
The world will long remember the epic struggle put up by the 75,000
Filipino and 12,000 American soldiers in the blood-stained jungles and
along the rugged coasts of Bataan for more than three (3) months in
1942. They fought shoulder-to-shoulder against the superior force of
the Japanese Imperial army in defense of freedom and democracy.
TESTED COMRADESHIP
Our comradeship with the American soldiers was tested in many ways.
During the last month's battle, as we fought side-by-side in the
battlefields of Bataan on empty stomachs--many ridden with malaria and
weakened by malaria--we still maintained our high morale. After the
surrender of Bataan, we marched together during the Death March and we
suffered together in the concentration camp in high spirits even in the
most adverse condition of starvation and widespread disease.
Despite the harrowing condition brought by the Fall of Bataan on
April 9, 1942, the Filipino soldiers and the brave guerilla fighters
under the command of U.S. officers had given the same undying loyalty
to the American flag as the American soldiers did throughout World War
II.
ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE DEFENDERS OF BATAAN AND CORREGIDOR
With your indulgence, please allow me to state what could be
considered the most important accomplishment of the defenders of Bataan
and Corregidor--they disrupted the timetable of the Japanese forces in
conquering the Philippines. This disruption prevented the Japanese
forces from advancing to Australia where they could have built a strong
military base and make use of the oil resources thereat. The war in the
Far East could have been longer with tremendous loss of lives on the
part of the U.S. Allied Forces.
For this accomplishment, the whole world will long remember the
gallantry of the Filipino and American troops who fought and stood
together in the face of overwhelming odds in Bataan and Corregidor in
1942.
SCARS OF THE WAR
It is indeed very hurting and disappointing that in 1946, U.S.
Congress passed the Rescission Act that cutoff the promised benefits to
the Filipino WWII veterans. However, President Harry Truman admitted
and said then, ``It is the moral obligation of the U.S. to look after
the welfare of all Filipino WWII veterans.''
For the past 61 years we had been suffering from injustice, unfair
treatment and inequality because the U.S. Congress has failed to give
us back the benefits that rightfully belongs to us. The gallant deeds
of the Filipino WWII veterans have surely faded away in the minds of
America's policymakers.
CONCLUSION
U.S. has spent vast amounts of money for Germany, France, Russia
and Iraq in building democracy throughout the world but failed to
reward those who fought and risked their lives 65 years ago to ensure
the freedom and democracy we are all enjoying.
For the moment, we still have faith in America's goodness. With
your enlightened consideration of holding a public hearing and taking
on the issue plus the persistence of the Filipino American advocates,
the last battle for FULL EQUITY may still be won--something all freedom
loving Americans would like to see happen before the aging Filipino
WWII veterans will all be gone.
I would like to end my testimony by sharing to you what Her
Excellency Kristie A. Kenney, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines told
me when I met her at the Shrine of Valor in Bataan last year, she said,
`` Mr. Calabas, thank you for your sacrifices, our world is more
peaceful and prosperous.''
Thank you and may God bless us all!
______
Prepared Statement of Charlene Cuaresma,
President, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, As President of the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, I thank
you for the opportunity to present this written testimony in urgent
support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
Since its inception in 1990, the Coalition has represented more
than 50 Filipino community leaders whose aim is to advocate for social
justice issues, and to empower Filipinos to make socially responsible
contributions to Hawaii and our global neighbors through community
service, education, advocacy, and social action.
Filipino WWII Veterans equity has been among the top social justice
issues for Coalition advocates. Reinstatement of veterans' benefits is
also a matter of human dignity. In Hawaii, for example, the issue of
family reunification is paramount for our elderly Filipino veterans. In
November 2006, a Filipino veteran died in destitute with no next of
kin. Immigration and financial barriers prohibited his family from
coming to Hawaii to transport his remains back to the Philippines for
burial. Our Filipino veterans have earned this entitlement by their
commitment to the U.S. Armed Services. Filipino veterans bravely put
themselves in harm's way to protect the interests of the United States
and its citizens.
Your help to pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act would go a long
way to bring judicial closure and dignity to our Filipino WWII
veterans. Please support the enactment of the Filipino Veterans Equity
Act.
______
Prepared Statement of Susan Espiritu Dilkes, Member, National Alliance
for Filipino Veterans Equity and the American Coalition for Filipino
Veterans
This week, I personally attended the funerals of two Filipino
American Veterans of World War II. Both died without receiving any of
the benefits they were promised when they joined the American Armed
Forces in 1941.
My name is Susan Espiritu Dilkes. I am the daughter of a Filipino
World War II veteran, member of the National Alliance for Filipino
Veterans Equity and the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans. I am
also the Executive Director of Filipino American Service Group Inc.
(FASGI), a nonprofit community-based, social service agency in Los
Angeles County, which was started in October 1981, when a homeless
Filipino World War II veteran was found sleeping in the garage at the
home of Mrs. Remedios Geaga, one of the founding members of our agency.
Since then, FASGI has assisted thousands of Filipino American World War
II veterans with temporary shelter, health and mental health issues,
and food distribution. FASGI operates a transitional housing shelter
for independent living for more than four hundred (400) World War II
veterans.
In 1996, with the help of the Filipino American WWII veteran's
volunteers, FASGI launched FILVOTE, the Filipino American Voters
Mobilization, and has registered more than 13,000 Filipino American
voters in Los Angeles County.
The first thing that I want to impress on you is the fact that most
of the Filipino American World War II Veterans are in their 80's. Many
are in poor health, and the time for helping any of them is rapidly
slipping away.
An example of the urgency of this matter arose from our own work
program, during the last year.
In early 2006, FASGI obtained a grant from the State of California
to do outreach to Filipino American World War II Veterans who are still
alive and living in Los Angeles. The goal of the outreach is to reduce
the risks of poor health resulting from inadequate housing, and to
refer homeless WWII Veterans to our shelter, and to enroll them in our
Healthy Active Lifestyle Program (HALP). For the past twelve months,
FASGI has worked at this outreach program, but has referred only six
WWII veterans to our transitional housing shelter.
The reason for our lack of success is that there are so few of the
veterans left.
If Congress does not act soon, there will be no one left upon whom
to confer the benefits these men were promised over 60 years ago. This
is your last chance to correct a wrong, which is now more than half a
century old. I believe, you are men and women, of good intention, and
now, it is time for those intentions to be converted into law.
The second point worth noting is that there are benefits, beyond
those that are visible on the face of this legislation. First, the
passing of S. 57, granting full equity benefits for the Filipino
American WWII veterans, provides the United States with an opportunity
to rescue its reputation as a fair, honest and reputable country that
honors its commitment by helping the remaining 7,000 Filipino American
World War II veterans who are living in the United States. Our country
can take a long step toward rescuing its own honor.
Third, passing S. 57, improves the foreign relations between the
Philippines and the United States. It reduces the political irritation
of an unfulfilled commitment to the 13,000 Filipino American World War
II veterans who are living in the Philippines, and to the extent
payments are made, it will improve the flow of cash to the Philippines,
a poor country in dire need of foreign support and liquidity.
This is the last chance any of us will have to RESCUE, both the
Filipino American World War II Veterans and the United States from a
broken promise.
Finally, I would like to thank the Veteran's Affairs Committee
Chairman, Senator Akaka, Members of the Committee, and your staff for
allowing me to submit this testimony today.
Thank you, and please enact and promptly implement S. 57.
______
Prepared Statement of Max C. Florentino, President, Filipino WWII
Pensioners Association, Inc.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:
I am a Filipino American World War II veteran resident of the
United States, because of my 100 percent service-connected disability
condition and 86 years old with severe pain all over my body, I can't
travel from Los Angeles, California to Washington, DC, but as a duty to
our country, on behalf of my fellow Filipino WWII veterans I do hereby
respectfully submitted my reports on our relentless campaign in support
of the U.S. Congress approval of H.R. 760, and S. 57, the Filipino
Veterans Equity Act of 2007.
Since early 2004, when I attended the Filipino World War II
veterans summit presided over by Congressman Bob Filner in San Diego,
California in which the attendees were required to obtain 60 cosponsors
of the H.R. 677, and while Congressman Filner pledge ``to obtain 120
more than the current 41 sponsors.''
I tried hard to find ways as to how successful we shall be able to
get support for Congress approval of the Equity Act. At this critical
juncture, I sent a letter for help to President George W. Bush in whom
the executive power resides and I depend so much upon President Bush's
premise and promise, of which it seems I can see all around me the
President will not fail us Filipino World War II veterans.
I just followed President Bush's appealed for ``patience in this
hard tasks of securing America, which you have granted in good measure.
Our Country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill and
would be dishonorable to abandon.'' We should not, then, rest our faith
and optimism as we continue with our letters to the President, finally
on the first week of January 2007, it has a very wonderful result. The
President kept his promise and listened to us.
I received a letter from the White House which said: ``We have sent
your message to the appropriate Federal agency that can best address
your concerns. After reviewing your correspondence the agency will
respond directly to you as promptly as possible.'' The following week I
received a letter from the VA which said: ``The Filipino Veterans
Equity Act, if enacted, would amend title 38, United States Code, to
deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government
of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to
have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs
administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Accordingly,
qualifying Filipino veterans would become eligible for all veterans'
benefits in the same manner and at the same rates as United States
veterans . . . President Bush and the VA have made the interests of
Filipino veterans a priority. We are working hard to ensure they
receive the benefits they deserve.'' This VA letter is a sure
Republican support to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees
for the priority approval of Filipino Veterans Equity Act in the 110th
Congress.
On behalf of my fellow veterans residents of the United States who
are actually receiving disability compensation, I respectfully request
you to include in the amendment of H.R. 760, our benefits. Here is the
policy of the VA: While residing in the United States we are receiving
full dollar rates, but if we go home to the Philippines and stay
outside the United States for 61 days, our service-connected disability
compensation will be reduced to 50 percent of every dollar authorized.
I earnestly appeal to the Washington leadership--from the U.S.
Congress to the White House to the Department of Veterans Affairs to
consider my statement of facts that hopefully should lead to the
Congress approval of H.R. 760, not for pity and mercy to the veterans
of the Philippine Army and the Recognized Guerrilla Fighters, but it is
an honorable act of Congress who has included the various Philippine
military organizations into the service of the Armed Forces of the
United States, during World War II.
Members of the 110th Congress cannot afford to ignore the fact that
from the very beginning the Philippine Independence Act was approved by
the U.S. Congress on March 24, 1934, Pub. L. No. 73-127, Section
2(a)(12), 48 Stat. 456, 457 all military forces organized by the
Commonwealth Government of the Philippines in December 1935, became
``reserves'' army of the United States.
Evidence: In 1932, while the Philippine Islands was then a colony
of the United States, Philippine leaders Sergio Osmena, Sr., and Manuel
A. Roxas had secured the passage of Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act from the
U.S. Congress, granting Philippine Independence.
Manuel L. Quezon, however, objected to the provisions contained in
H.H.C. Law, granting the U.S. to establish military and naval bases on
several sites such as Fort McKinley (which is now Fort Bonifacio),
Cavite Naval Yard (Cavite City), Infantry Quarters in Intramuros,
Hospital at Arroceros (Manila), Clark Field in Pampanga, and John Hay
at Baguio City.
Mr. Quezon did not like such condition of the H.H.C. Law. What he
wanted was an absolute independence without any U.S. military and navy
bases to be established in the Philippines. In fact, during his feud
with Governor General in Manila, Leonard Wood, he frankly commented,
``I prefer a government run like hell by Filipinos to a government run
like heaven by Americans, because no matter how bad Filipino government
might be, it can be improved.''
In 1934, Mr. Quezon went to Washington, DC and worked hard to get
the approval of the Tydings-McDuffie Act. His primary mission in
relation to the law, focused solely on a clear provisions of the
Philippine Independence Act. He opposed the inclusion of military and
other reservations in the provisions of the Philippine Independence
Act. But this mission of Mr. Quezon was not acceptable to the United
States.
A known nationalist, Mr. Quezon was aware that the United States
will not agree with him, because in the 1930s, Japan's expansionist
ambitions in Asia, through its Imperial forces, threatened Asian
countries; that the Philippines under the American rule was
strategically located and thus vital to the defense of the United
States, and to avert the Japanese taking over the control of the
Western Pacific Region; and because of the most popular sentiment of
Filipinos, which was eventual Philippine Independence, the sooner the
better, he agreed to the United States, and further continue on the
matter after the Philippines became a self-governing nation. But the
whole matter died with him in 1944.
After the two sides' agreement, the Philippine Independence Act was
approved on March 24, 1934, Pub. L. No. 73-127, which contained two
notable sections:
Section 10(a), 48 Stat. 456, 463 the Philippines became self-
governing nation on July 4, 1946;
Section 2(a)(12), 48 Stat. 456, 457 which clearly showed that
instead of only U.S. military and naval bases to be established in the
Philippines, the U.S. Congress included various Philippine military
organizations to be incorporated into the service of the U.S. Armed
Forces.
The said section reads in relevant part:
``To maintain [United States] military and other reservations and
armed forces in the Philippines and, upon order of the President to
call into the service of the [United States] armed forces all military
forces organized by the Philippine Government.''
The phrase ``upon order of the President'' and the part of the
provision that says ``to call into the service of the [United States]
armed forces all military forces organized by the Philippine
Government'' refer to the Philippine Army, already intended by the U.S.
Congress to be a ``reserves'' army of the United States.
On July 26, 1941, President Roosevelt issued a military order
calling members of these forces into the service of the United States
Army Forces in the Far East [USAFFE]. The President's order stated in
relevant part:
``[A]s Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States
I hereby call and order into the service of the armed forces of the
United States for the purpose of the existing emergency, and place
under the command of a General Officer United States Army . . . all of
the organized military forces of the Government of the Philippines.''
By President Roosevelt's July 26, 1941 Order, induction of the
Philippine Army units into the United States Army Forces in the Far
East was somewhat gradual, but was completed on December 8, 1941 and
they were already formed parts of the U.S. Army during World War II
until released therefrom on June 30, 1946, per military order of
President Truman.
Treating the Philippine Army veterans differently before President
Roosevelt called said army into the service of the United States Army
became irrelevant once they were called into the armed forces of the
United States, de facto command and control passed to the United States
Army personnel fighting the same terms as member of the Armed Forces of
the United States during World War II.
Therefore, at that point the original Philippine Army status was
abrogated they were members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Under the fundamental law of the United States, all persons similarly
circumstanced should be treated alike, or those similarly situated be
treated similarly, and the Philippine Army, Recognized Guerrilla
Fighters, and the New Philippine Scouts should receive the same rates
of benefits as that received by American veterans.
Less amount of dollars in benefits to be awarded to the Filipino
veterans would be a continuously humiliating and degrading treatment
prohibited by the U.S. Constitution Amendments which directed the
government to protect the veterans' rights and for them to be treated
on the same basis as others with whom a person is similarly situated.
The foregoing statutory provisions and military order of President
Roosevelt are the determinative issues here--repeat determinative--as
supplied by rational basis for Congress approval of H.R. 760, the
``Filipino Veterans Equity Act'' of 2007.
May I add, with passionate emphasis and not afterthought, that the
U.S. Army members on their return to civilian life were granted full
benefits under the GI Bill of Rights. The Filipino veterans, on the
other hand, returned home to a cruel punishment by an unjust first and
second Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Acts of 1946.
Because the Commander-in-Chief of the Philippine Army 1946 accepted
U.S. $200,000 from the United States on the condition that Philippine
Army World War II service to the United States is not considered to be
of service into the U.S. Army. Were you the Commander-in-Chief of your
country can you do the same?
Thank you Mr. Chairman, this completes my statement.
______
Prepared Statement of Lynne Gutierrez, President,
Oahu Filipino Community Council
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, as President of the Filipino Community Council (OFCC), I thank
you for the opportunity to present this written testimony in
overwhelming support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act. OFCC is
composed of 62 member organizations on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
The Council's mission is to improve the quality of life for Hawaii's
Filipinos, in order for our communities to make positive contributions
in local, national and global arenas. Last year marked the centennial
anniversary of the first Filipinos who immigrated to Hawaii. We are
grateful that Filipinos have had the privilege to live, work, prosper,
raise our families, serve in the U.S. military, and vote.
The Oahu Filipino Community Council strongly supports S. 57 and
H.R. 760, as many Filipino World War II veterans and their family
members are longtime Council members. OFCC passed a resolution to
advocate for Filipino World War II veterans benefits at our statewide
annual convention in June 2006. These proposed bills are integral to
the social justice that has been kept from our aging Filipino WWII
veterans, who have served in good faith alongside U.S. Armed Forces,
yet had their veterans' benefits rescinded. We urge you to support
passage of S. 57 and H.R. 760. Thank you for your service on the U.S.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
______
Prepared Statement of Ben de Guzman, National Campaign Coordinator,
National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE)
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and Honorable Members of the
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
I am the National Campaign Coordinator for the National Alliance
for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE). On behalf of NAFVE, I am honored
to be able to submit this testimony to you today in strong support of
S. 57, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act. NAFVE is a coalition of local,
national and international organizations and individuals committed to
securing justice for Filipino World War II Veterans through restoration
of U.S. Veterans status for purposes of benefits. All the groups have
been part of a 60-year campaign to restore to Filipino WW II veterans
their rightful claim to U.S. veterans status and recognition for their
bravery in defending the United States.
Since the S. 57 has been introduced in the Senate along with its
sister bill, H.R. 760 in the House of Representatives, NAFVE has been
working tirelessly in partnership with its member organizations, allies
and other leaders in the community to raise awareness of the plight of
Filipino World War II Veterans in light of their ongoing exclusion from
the benefits promised to them by the United States Government, then
unceremoniously stripped from them by the 1946 Rescission Act.
Working with countless individuals and organizations around the
country, we have discovered several encouraging findings:
(1) The Filipino American Community's Groundswell of Support: The
approximately 2 million Filipino Americans in this country have rallied
behind this issue as their key political issue for this year. We know
that having waited 61 years for restoration of the honor and dignity of
our veterans is far too long and the community has mobilized itself as
never before.
(2) April 9 and the Day of Valor: Attached for your review at the
conclusion of this testimony, please find a list of events around the
country that commemorate April 9 as Day of Valor. This year marks the
65th anniversary of the fall of Bataan on that day and the subsequent
infamous Bataan Death March. Day of Valor ceremonies around the country
not only honor the brave service and commitment of ALL of our veterans
who fought in World War II, but also give rise to the community's
support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
(3) Support from our Friends: As we speak with more and more people
who are not familiar with this issue, we gain more converts to our
cause and more support for this bill. Attached for your review at the
conclusion of this testimony, please find a letter that has been
circulated around the country which includes support from an incredibly
diverse cross-section of the community, Filipino, and non-Filipino
alike. Their collective voices join ours in calling for passage of the
Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
We are excited about the increasing support for this issue and hope
that your Committee follows this momentum and helps move this bill
forward to final passage. Our veterans have waited too long.
Information about our Alliance is also included below. Thank you
again for allowing NAFVE the opportunity to play a role in your
deliberations on this important bill.
[Letter in support of the Filipino Veterans Equity bill follows:]
______
Dear Members of Congress: We, the undersigned individuals and
organizations, strongly urge you to support H.R. 760/S. 57, the
Filipino Veterans Equity Act. During World War II, Filipino Veterans
fought bravely for the United States in the Pacific theater, only to
have their eligibility for full benefits revoked by Congress through
the Rescission Act of 1946. For decades, Filipino Veterans have been
fighting this injustice, and as they enter their twilight years, are
now dying with dreams deferred and promises unfulfilled. The Filipino
Veterans Equity Act will restore justice for these veterans, who fought
and sacrificed for freedom and liberty.
While the U.S. Government has taken steps to restore some health
care benefits to the veterans in recent years, full equity has not yet
been achieved. Many of the veterans are now in their 80's, and too many
of their comrades have already died without receiving the benefits they
deserve.
H.R. 760/S. 57 will amend current law to consider the service of
eligible Filipino Veterans who fought in World War II to be active
service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
H.R. 760/S. 57 will undo the injustice committed against the
Filipino Veterans through the 1946 Rescission Act, which denied these
brave soldiers appropriate recompense for their duty.
H.R. 760/S. 57 will allow these veterans to spend their golden
years enjoying the fruits of their sacrifices for freedom and liberty,
instead of fighting the very government they fought for in World War
II.
We need your help now to provide justice to our Filipino Veterans
who fought bravely under the U.S. flag as part of the ``Greatest
Generation.'' We turn to you to help undo decades old injustice done to
those who have served our country most bravely. Your support of H.R.
760 will help close the book on a shameful chapter of our nation's
history, and will honor the military service of veterans who have been
waiting for over sixty years for this recognition. Please help us pass
H.R. 760.
Sincerely,
National Organizations
National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Washington, DC
Asian American Institute, Chicago, IL
Asian American Justice Center, Washington, DC
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, Washington, DC
Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Washington, DC
Hmong National Development, Washington, DC
Japanese American Citizens League, Washington, DC
Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Los Angeles, CA
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association,
Denver, CO
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Washington, DC
National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, Washington, DC
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community
Development,
Washington, DC
National Korean American Service & Education Consortium
Southeast Asian Resource Action Center, Washington, DC
National Assn of Sons & Daughters of FilAm World War II Veterans
USA,
Seattle, WA
National Network for Veterans Equity (NNVE), San Francisco, CA
National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA),
Washington, DC
Local Organizations
Filipino World War II Veterans Federation of San Diego County, San
Diego, CA
Filipino American Support Group Inc. (FASGI), Los Angeles, CA
Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Los Angeles, CA
Veterans Equity Center (VEC), San Francisco, CA
Erasto Batongmalaque Foundation, Inc. (ERBF), Los Angeles, CA
Federation of Filipino American Associations, Inc. (FFAAI), Los
Angeles, CA
FilAm Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), Los Angeles, CA
Filipino American Veterans & Families, Inc (FAFVI), San Francisco,
CA
Filipino Civil Rights Advocates (FilCRA), Oakland, CA
National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Region 5,
Broomfield, CO
Asian Gold, Broomfield, CO
Filipino-American Community of Colorado, Brighton, CO
Philippine Nurses Association, Broomfield, CO
Aurora Asian Partnership, Aurora, CO
Philippine American Society of Colorado, Parker, CO
Asian Gold, Westminster, CO
Asian Roundtable of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Uplift Internationale, Littleton, CO
Aurora Asian Partnership, Aurora, CO
University of the Philippines Alumni Association, Colorado Chapter,
Aurora, CO
ANCOP Foundation USA, Colorado Chapter, Aurora, CO
Fil-Am Veterans Society, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida (FASI),
Jacksonville, FL
Illinois Veterans Equity Center (IVEC), Chicago, IL
Filipino American Democrats of South New Jersey, Cherry Hill, NJ
Philippine Nurses Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
Cherry Hill, NJ
AALDEF, New York, NY
Filipino American Republicans of Virginia (FARV), Alexandria, VA
Filipino American Veterans of Hampton Roads (FAVHR), Virginia
Beach, VA
Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND), Fairfax, VA
Filipino War Veterans of Washington (FWVW), Seattle, WA
Bataan & Corregidor Survivors Assn & their Families (BCSA&TF),
Seattle, WA
KAC-DC, Washington, DC
Individuals
Ben Cayatano, Former Governor of Hawaii
Mark Pulido, ABC School Board
Armin Reyes, ABC School Board
Chris Cabaldon, Mayor of West Sacramento
Elito M. Santarina, City Councilman of Carson, CA, Mayor Pro
Tempore
Robert Bunda, Hawaii State Senator
Will Espero, Hawaii State Senator
Lorraine R. Inouye, Hawaii State Senator
Ron Menor, Hawaii State Senator
Kris Valderrama, Maryland House of Delegates
Velma Veloria, Former Washington State Assembly Member
Ferdinand Tolentino, Former Board Member Virginia Beach Public
Schools
John Amores, West Virginia House of Delegates
The Hawaii State House of Representatives Filipino Caucus
Chair Rep. Michael Magaoay
Rep. Della Au Belatt
Rep. Lyla B. Berg Ph.D
Rep. Rida T. R. Cabanilla
Rep. Jerry L. Chang
Rep. Corinne W. L. Chin
Rep. Lynn Finnegan
Rep. Robert N. Herkes
Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu
Rep. Joey Manahan
Rep. John Mizuno
Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine
Rep. Karl Rhoads
Rep. Roland D. Sagum III
Rep. Alex M. Sonson
Rep. James Kunane Tokioka
Rep. Clift Tsuji
Rep. Glenn Wakai
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa Mamangon................... AZ................ 85243
Salvador I. Lopez............... AZ................ 85009
Stacey Castor................... AZ................ 85281
Danielle Tejada................. AZ................ 85226
Alejandra Hernandez............. AZ................ 85041
Kristin Reynante................ AZ................ 85224
Melanie Garcia.................. AZ................ 85044
Angelie Meehan.................. AZ................ 85041
Louie Depante................... CA................ 91326
Benjamin DeGuzman............... CA................ 90019
Benita Benavides................ CA................ 94577
Evelyn Bernardo................. CA................ 92672
Meleilani Barnes................ CA................ 92115
Ellen Y. Gomez.................. CA................ 91381
Mayumi Santiago-Shupe........... CA................ 95835
Jose Angelo R. Benavides........ CA................ 94577
Donna LaVigne................... CO................ Broomfield
Romeo Magalong.................. CO................ Lakewood
Giselle Rushford................ CO................ Westminster
Edith Pasion.................... CO................ Aurora
Arthur & Joy Meyers............. CO................ Denver
Elbert Eloriaga................. CO................ Parker
Gloria Williams................. CO................ Aurora
Jaime Yrastorza, DMD............ CO................ Littleton
Nestor & Elnora Mercado......... CO................ Denver
Joseph Noli Lopez............... CO................ Parker
Malou Mateo Stirman............. CO................ Brighton
Felino Paran.................... CO................ Aurora
Bart & Marlene Perez............ CO................ Aurora
Raymond Teodoro................. CT................ 6450
Elizabeth Kim................... DC................ 20009
Toni Daya-Luetgers.............. GA................ 30075
Marilyn Z. O. Doromal........... GA................ 31906
Sarah Hawk...................... GA................ 30309
Onofre R. Paguio................ GA................ 30604
S Beltran....................... IL................ 60618
Maricor Lacaya.................. IL................ 60465
Angelito Santos................. MA................ 2375
Adelamar Alcantara.............. NM................ 87105
Theodore S. Jojola.............. NM................ 87109
Rey Antonio..................... NV................ 89110
Lilia Ledesma................... NY................ 10950
Mary Ann Pearson................ NY................ 10022
Grace Rodriguez................. TX................ 77478
Derick Mendoza.................. TX................ 77082
Belle Quisel-Sibug.............. TX................ 77099
Bobby Reyes..................... TX................ 77536
Andrew B. Dompao................ TX................ 77477
Florencio Guinhawa.............. TX................ 77083
Cesar M. Naguit................. TX................ 77581
Arsenio R. Martin............... TX................ 77642
AJ Rosario, M.D., M.P.H......... TX................ 77584
Tess Tuazon..................... TX................ 77042
Norma Benzon.................... TX................ 77479
Meredith Benzon................. TX................ 77479
Honesto......................... TX................ 77479
Gary Ilagan..................... TX................ 77056
Robert Pucio.................... TX................ 77478
Lope G. Lindio.................. TX................ 77036
Napoleon Ramirez................ TX................ 76123
Jessie del Mundo................ TX................ 77459
Bill Encarnacion................ TX................ 77478
Celia Vasquez................... TX................ 77056
Cyril Maza...................... TX................ 77082
Lina Umali...................... TX................ 77055
Phoebe D. Catli................. TX................ 77071
Arlene Machetta................. TX................ 77068
Samuel Catli.................... TX................ 77071
Mendel Cheng.................... TX................ 77062
Ben Ongoco...................... TX................ 77080
Wally C. Arias.................. TX................ 77478
Travis Millard.................. TX................ 77478
Paige Perez..................... TX................ 77478
Ave Basa........................ TX................ 77489
Cornelia G. Emboy............... TX................ 77083
Carlo Rodriguez................. TX................ 77478
Luz Rodriguez................... TX................ 77478
Daniel Jones.................... TX................ 77027
James ``Face'' Yu............... TX................ 78747
Victoria Ma..................... TX................ 77077
Rolando Ulanday................. TX................ 77082
Myrna Saludares................. TX................ 77075
Renato Famatigan................ TX................ 79922
Mamta Accapadi.................. TX................ 78727
Leo Dela Rosa................... TX................ 77478
Jerome Redor.................... TX................ 77030
Marc Pedregosa.................. TX................ 77584
Bobby Ilagan.................... TX................ 77083
Kathleen Ulanday................ TX................ 77478
Dan Diaz........................ TX................ 77505
Ernie Azucena................... TX................ 77015
Irwin........................... TX................ 78759
Federico Villamayor............. TX................ 77003
Imelda Malapitan................ TX................ 77055
Sam Barzilla.................... TX................ 78713
Alex Estatis.................... TX................ 77477
Nanette Lacsamana............... TX................ 77478
Munir Ibrahim................... TX................ 77024
Janella Gee..................... TX................ 77025
Patrick Nguyen.................. TX................ 77075
Maria Theresa Mangahis.......... TX................ 77478
Jason Redor..................... TX................ 77055
Ninfa Alcantara................. TX................ 77478
James A. Harris, Jr............. TX................ 78729
Angela L. Lee................... TX................ 77036
Daniel Mee...................... TX................ 77098
Ellen L. Aguilar................ TX................ 77546
James Yu........................ TX................ 77008
Elsie Gaid...................... TX................ 77584
Steven M DiMatteo............... TX................ 77027
Regine M Biscoe................. VA................ Vienna
Sheena Black.................... VA................ Vienna
Andrew Lee...................... VA................ Vienna
Gem Daus........................ VA................ lexandria
Marietta Basnillo............... WA................ 99223
Annabel Garcia-Andresen......... WA................ Seattle
Third Andresen.................. WA................ Seattle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APRIL 9, THE DAY OF VALOR
April 9, 2007 marks the 65th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan in
the Philippines during World War II. On April 9, 1946, Maj. Gen. Edward
``Ned'' King formally surrendered to the Japanese army. Following the
surrender, over 11,000 Americans and 66,000 Filipinos were relocated
from Mariveles in Bataan to Camp O' Donnell in Tarlac. The brave
soldiers who were forced to march suffered brutally over the course of
the over 30 mile trek. This would go down in infamy as the ``Bataan
Death March,'' and still stands as one of the historical milestones of
the war.
Today, April 9 is celebrated as a national holiday in the
Philippines as Araw ng Kagitingan, or the ``Day of Valor.'' In the
United States, Filipino American communities recognize the Day of Valor
and take the opportunity not only to pay respect to the service and
sacrifice of American and Filipino soldiers who fought, but to also
raise awareness of the current plight of Filipino veterans, whose
status as U.S. veterans was unceremoniously stripped from them by the
1946 Rescission Act.
Around the country, local communities are celebrating the Day of
Valor this year by showing their support for the the Filipino Veterans
Equity Act. This bill has been introduced in Congress to remedy the
injustice of the Rescission Act and reaffirm America's commitment to
all who fought for the United States in WWII as part of ``the Greatest
Generation.''
In Washington, DC, the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans
Equity (NAFVE) will join this groundswell of support as it takes part
in an historic hearing on this bill before the Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee. Partnering with its members around the country, NAFVE will
take the message of support and solidarity directly to Capitol Hill.
list of nafve member sponsored events to commemorate the day of valor
Current information for events as of April 6, 2007.
San Diego, CA
Event: ``Remember Bataan Candlelight Vigil''; Time: April 9, 7
p.m.; Location: 1243 National City Boulevard (In front of National
City's City Hall); Contact: Joann Fields
Los Angeles, CA
Event: 65th Anniversary of the Day of Valor: ``Remember Bataan and
Corregidor''; Time: April 9, 10 a.m.; Location: Filipino American World
War II Memorial, Lake Street Park, Los Angeles, CA; Sponsors: E.R.
Batongmalaque Foundation Historical Society, Filipino Veterans
Foundation, Veterans Center Association; Contact: Dr. Jenny
Batongmalaque
San Frencisco, CA
Event: Candlelight Vigil: ``Remember Bataan''; Time: April 9, 5:30
p.m.; Location: City Hall San Francisco, CA; Sponsors: Veterans Equity
Center, SAVE, others; Contact: Angelica, SAVE
Washington, DC
Event: Wreath-Laying; Time: April 10, 5:30 p.m.; Location: World
War II Memorial Washington, DC; Sponsors: Philippine Embassy, NAFVE,
American Coalition for Filipino Veterans; Contact: Del Lorenzano
Atlanta, GA
Event: Bataan Day Commemoration: Honoring Filipino Veterans, ``The
Unforgotten Heroes''; Time: April 7, 3p.m.; Location: Morrow
Presbyterian Church, Morrow, GA; Sponsors: NaFFAA-Southern Region,
Philippine Consulate General Office, Atlanta, GA, others; Contact:
Marilyn Doromal
Honolulu, HI
Event: Balik-Tanaw: Remembering Bataan and Corregidor; Time: April
15, 1 p.m.; Location: Filipino Community Center Waipahu, HI; Sponsors:
Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawai'i, Consulate
General of the Philippines; Contact: Nic Musico
Chicago, IL
Event: 65th Commemoration of Bataan Day; Time: April 9, 9:30 a.m.;
Location: Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge (corner of State Street and
Wacker Drive); Sponsors: Philippine Consulate General (Chicago, IL),
Mayor's Office, Commission on Human Relations, Advisory Council on
Veterans Affairs, Illinois Veterans Equity Center, others; Contact:
Jerry Clarito
Cherry Hill, NJ
Event: Commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan;
Time: April 9, 6:30 p.m.; Location: Bataan Death March Memorial/Rizal
Monument Cooper Park, Cherry Hill, NJ; Sponsors: VFW Pvt. Tomas Post
1063 and Ladies Auxiliary, Filipino Executive Council of Greater
Philadelphia, American Legion Gen. Alejo Santos Post 717 and Ladies
Auxiliary; Contacts: Senten Fontanilla/ Lambert Santos
Albuquerque, NM
Event: Bataan Day Commemoration; Time: March 31; Location:
Albuquerque, NM; Sponsors: NaFFAA-NM, others; Contact: Dely Alcantara
Houston, TX
Event: Bataan Day Rally; Time: April 21, 2 p.m.; Location: Veterans
Administration Auditorium, Houston, TX; Sponsors: NaFFAA, FACOST,
others; Contact: Wally Arias
Virginia Beach, VA
Event: Vigil for Day of Valor; Time: April 9, nightfall (7:30
p.m.); Location: Veterans Memorial Garden, Philippine Cultural Center
Virginia Beach, VA; Sponsors: Filipino American Veterans of Hampton
Roads, Student Action for Veterans Equity (SAVE), NaFFAA-Capitol
Region, others; Contact: Romy San Antonio, President
About the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity
The National Alliance for Filipino World War II Veterans Equity is
a coalition of local, national and international organizations and
individuals committed to securing justice for Filipino World War II
Veterans through restoration of U.S. Veterans status for purposes of
benefits. All the groups have been part of a 60-year campaign to
restore to Filipino WW II veterans their rightful claim to U.S.
veterans status and recognition for their bravery in defending the
United States during WWII. The National Alliance's sole purpose is to
pass the long overdue Filipino World War II Veterans Equity Act in the
110th Congress.
The National Alliance formed in December 2006 at a meeting of over
60 participants including leaders from around the United States and the
Philippines who have been working on issues of concern to the Filipino
American and Filipino Veterans communities for decades. At the meeting,
participants agreed that with champions of the Filipino Veterans in key
positions of leadership in both houses of Congress, the time was right
to secure final passage of the Filipino World War II Veterans Equity
Act.
The National Alliance is currently working to pass the Filipino
World War II Veterans Equity Act in the 110th Congress. With a
national, coordinated structure and a dedicated team of seasoned
political professionals working in Washington, DC, the Alliance
represents the most broad-based and well-funded effort to secure
justice for Filipino World War II Veterans to date.
Current List of Alliance Members
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)
Bataan & Corregidor Survivors Assn & their Families (BCSA&TF),
Seattle
Embassy of the Philippines
Erasto Batongmalaque Foundation, Inc. (ERBF), Los Angeles
Federation of Filipino American Associations, Inc. (FFAAI)
FilAm Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)
Filipino American Democrats of South New Jersey Filipino American
Republicans
of Virginia (FARV)
Fil-Am Veterans Society, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida (FASI)
Filipino American Support Group Inc. (FASGI), Los Angeles, CA
Filipino American Veterans of Hampton Roads (FAVHR), VA
Filipino American Veterans & Families, Inc (FAFVI), San Francisco,
CA
Filipino Civil Rights Advocates (FilCRA)
Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND)
Filipino War Veterans of Washington (FWVW),
Seattle Filipino World War II Veterans Federation of San Diego
County
Illinois Veterans Equity Center (IVEC)
National Assn of Sons & Daughters of FilAm World War II Veterans
USA
National Network for Veterans Equity (NNVE)
National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
Philippine Nurses Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Veterans Equity Center (VEC), San Francisco
Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP)
Filipino American National Historical Society-East Bay
National Association of Filipino American United Methodists
(NAFAUM)
Alliance Leadership
Co-Chairs
Jon Melegrito, NaFFAA
Lilian Galedo, NNVE
Steering Committee
Alma Kern, NaFFAA (National)
Ernie Ramos, NaFFAA (NaFFAA Southwest Region)
Rozita Lee, NaFFAA (Nevada Region)
Perry Diaz, National Federation of Filipino American Republicans
Lou Tancinco, NNVE
Luisa Antonio, NNVE
Jerry Clarito, Illinois Veterans Equity Center
Romy Monteyro, San Diego Veterans
Jenny Batongmalaque, Los Angeles Veterans
Susan Dilkes, FASGI, Los Angeles
Gloria Caoile, Treasurer
Lisa Yuchengco, Fundraising Committee
Legislative Team
Irene Bueno, Legislative Adviser
Charmaine Manansala, Policy Adviser
Ben de Guzman, National Campaign Coordinator
Vida Benavides, Campaign Adviser
______
Prepared Statement of Margarita Hopkins, President, and Serafin
Colmenares, Jr., Vice President, Congress of Visayan Organizations
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, as President and Vice President of the Congress of Visayan
Organizations (COVO), we thank you for the opportunity to present this
written testimony in unanimous support of the Filipino Veterans' Equity
Act 2007. COVO is a statewide umbrella organization representing 22
unit organizations of Visayan ancestry
in Hawaii.
For years, COVO has been a staunch advocate of Filipino veterans'
equity to make right a broken promise that was rescinded in 1946 by an
act of Congress. Taken away or gravely limited were veterans' benefits
that included family reunification, health care, veterans burial
rights, and more that were afforded to all World War II allied troops
except from the Philippines.
COVO's commitment to advocacy for our Filipino veterans is rooted
in the spirit of social justice set by Visayan native chief Lapu-Lapu,
who is recognized as the first Filipino national hero for subduing the
conquistador Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on April 27,
1521.
In 2007, one year after the Filipino centennial anniversary of the
first arrival of Filipinos to Hawaii, the fate of Filipino veterans is
awaiting another act of Congress. COVO looks to your leadership and
moral values to pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, to recognize the
sacrifice and contributions to Americans in a time of war, and to
reinstate veterans' benefits. COVO extends our gratitude to your public
service to the American people.
______
Prepared Statement of Nic G. Musico, Adviser, WWII Fil-Am Veterans
and Ladies Auxiliary, Hawaii Chapter
Aloha, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, my name is Nic
Musico, a naturalized American citizen and resident of Honolulu, Hawaii
for over 35 years. I am one of the advisers of the WWII Fil-Am Veterans
and Ladies Auxiliary Hawaii Chapter.
I testify in support of S. 57, also known as the Filipino Veterans
Equity Act of 2007.
When the Filipino veterans arrived en masse in 1992 to take
advantage of the Immigration Act of 1990, I managed shelters to
temporarily house them. We fed between 80 to 100 veterans every day for
one year. The Hawaii community did an excellent job providing food,
transportation, transitional housing, and monetary support. That year,
the Honolulu Immigration and Naturalization office processed about
6,000 veterans to become American citizens who made Hawaii, for
majority of them, their new home.
Now, fifteen years later, and many of them gone, I still see them
with great need. Many are here alone, away from their family who are in
the Philippines. It is a very sad situation, but they maintained this
lifestyle hoping that someday they will be reunited with their family.
Many veterans are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). They are
of course very grateful for this financial aid program, but when they
are able to save some money to visit their family in the Philippines,
they stay there for no more than 28 days because if they stayed longer,
they would be required to reapply for SSI when they return to Hawaii.
It does not seem to be a friendly program because when they reapply,
they worry whether they would be disqualified from the SSI program or
penalized. Mostly in their early or late eighties with no immediate or
extended family members who can assist them, they find it very
difficult to navigate the system of public assistance or deal with
government red tape.
Hawaii has one of the highest standards of living in the country.
These veterans came here to avail of American citizenship but
unknowingly placed themselves in a tough predicament. In 1992, their
average age was 70. At this age, what chances would they have to buy a
house or a car? What chances would they have to find a good job? The
chances naturally are very little because at their age, they should be
enjoying retirement. Who would hire a 70-year-old person with no
experience?
But these veterans are very resilient people. A few of them hold
part time jobs as security guards. Some collect empty bottles and cans
for redemption at recycling centers. Some do vegetable gardening. Some
queue at various food bank locations. They are engaged in these
activities to supplement their SSI. It is rather funny that they have
to supplement their supplemental income.
These veterans have learned to minimize their expenses. They buy
monthly bus passes to use public transportation. They use ``handi-
vans'' to bring them to hospital, clinic, or doctor. They wake up early
to go to ``flea market'' to buy discounted goods and fresh vegetables.
They patronize discount stores and watch for sales.
They have also learned to socially, psychologically, and
financially support each other. When someone among them dies, they
collect donations for burial services, attend funeral services, conduct
group prayers, and comfort each other. They organize events to keep
themselves busy and occupied. They share information, particularly
those that directly affect them.
Life for the aging Filipino WWII veterans in this country whose
freedom they helped preserve for all Americans to enjoy is a mixed
blessing. They have been given the opportunity to pledge allegiance to
the United States flag under which they served during the war, but they
have not been given the full rights and benefits accorded to other war
veterans who served under it. There is something morally wrong about
this. This is a grave injustice that the U.S. Congress must rectify
NOW!
I strongly urge this honorable Committee to pass S. 57, the
Filipino Equity Act of 2007.
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify.
______
Prepared Statement of Emmanuel V. de Ocampo, President,
Veterans Federation of the Philippines
World War II in the Philippines started on December 8, 1941 and
ended on September 3, 1945.
The contributions of the Filipino soldiers to the war effort of the
United Sates of America during World War II are documented in official
records and have been adequately presented in newspapers, magazines,
books and even in movies.
The Veterans Federation of the Philippines seeks the full
recognition by the United States Government of the military service
rendered within the period from December 8, 1941 to September 3, 1945
by persons, of any nationality, in the regular army units of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines and in the Philippine guerrilla
organizations recognized by the United States Army as military service
to the United States of America for all intents and purposes.
The Veterans Federation of the Philippines supports and thanks the
proponents of any measure toward that end.
______
Prepared Statement of Tessie Oculto, President,
Philippine Nurses Association-Hawaii
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, as President of the Philippine Nurses Association-Hawaii, I
thank you for the opportunity to present this written testimony in
undivided support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.
Philippine Nurses Association-Hawaii represents over 70 registered
nurses. As a national affiliate of the Philippine Nurses Association of
America, our shared mission is to uphold and foster the positive image
and welfare of our constituent members; to promote professional
excellence, and to contribute to significant outcomes to healthcare and
society.
We strongly support S. 57 and H.R. 760 to reinstate veterans'
benefits, which the U.S. Congress unfairly rescinded in 1946. As health
care providers, we see that this policy resulted in the lack of access
to health care and much more for our Filipino veterans. The 110th
Congress has the opportunity to correct this unfortunate racist policy,
which has no place in an America that is based on the premise of
equality for all. We respectfully ask for your support to champion the
passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act. Thank you for your
commitment to social justice and for your dedication to public service.
______
Prepared Statement of Beatrice Ramos-Razon President,
Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc.
Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Craig, and distinguished Committee
Members, as President of the Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc.
(NAMI), I thank you for the opportunity to present this written
testimony in strong support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act. NAMI's
membership is comprised of over 75 nurse, allied health care
professionals, and Filipino leaders, who are dedicated to improve the
health of Hawaii's people by addressing the global issues of a
worldwide nursing shortage through the training and mentoring of
foreign medical graduate nurses to pass Hawaii's nurses board exams.
NAMI is in full support of S. 57 and H.R. 760 with all of its
provisions. Our Filipino World War II veterans have endured and
survived compounding life hardships, in spite of having their veterans'
benefits rescinded by the U.S. Congress in 1946. As experienced
gerontology practitioners and skilled nursing facilities or care home
administrators, NAMI nurses are keenly aware of the predicament faced
by our aging Filipino veterans. As young men, they put themselves in
harm's way to defend Americans, but now in their twilight years, they
cannot avail of veterans' benefits.
NAMI urges you to please support the passage these important bills.
______
State of Hawaii, Executive Chambers,
Honolulu, HI, April 10, 2007.
Hon. Daniel Akaka,
Chairman, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Prince Kuhio Federal Building,
Honolulu, HI.
Dear Senator Akaka: I am asking for your support of S. 57, Filipino
Veterans Equity Act of 2007. It is extremely important your Veterans
Committee move the bill out so the full senate may vote on the measure.
This bill will grant the children of Filipino World War II veterans a
special immigration status. This status would reunite these children
with naturalized Filipino WWII veterans already residing in the United
States.
In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt drafted over 250,000 Filipino
citizens into the United States Armed Forces. Under the command of
General Douglas MacArthur, Filipino soldiers fought valiantly alongside
American soldiers in defense of freedom.
The 1990 Immigration Act allowed these Filipino veterans the
opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship. However, the legislation did
not extend to their adult children, many who have been on immigration
waiting lists for an extended number of years. Current estimates place
over 47,000 of these WWII Filipino veterans residing in America, many
of them here in Hawaii.
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 will expedite visa
issuance for the children of these surviving veterans by excluding them
from numerical categorial limits. This would allow the reunification of
these families, especially with many Filipino veterans now in their
eighties.
It is my hope that passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of
2007 will continue America's tradition of recognizing the sacrifices
made by our veterans so many years ago and reward them with the
opportunity to bring their children to our great country.
Sincerely,
Linda Lingle,
Governor.
______
City of Los Angeles,
Thirteenth Council District,
April 11, 2007.
This letter is to inform you of my support for the passage of
Filipino WWII Veterans Equity Act. Today can be one of many steps to
correct the wrong that was done in the past.
I represent Los Angeles, the District with the highest
concentration of Filipino American Veterans in the city. I can attest
to the many Filipino Veterans who have called our office who need
assistance in housing because they can no longer afford their rent with
the small income they receive each month. These men need our help. They
deserve our help.
Last Veterans Day 2006, I joined the many Filipino American
Veterans in the United States in unveiling a Filipino Veterans
Memorial, the first of its kind in the nation. This is but a small
token to the brave men that contributed to the war efforts of the
United States during World War II and their struggle for veteran
recognition, equity, and justice.
Although the Federal Government has yet to fully recognize the
Filipino Veterans, at least the city of Los Angeles did our part with
this memorial. Likewise, just this month, I introduced a resolution
that the City Council of Los Angeles unanimously passed in support of
the passage of H.R. 760 and S. 57.
For many years, these Veterans have staged hunger strikes,
protested here in Los Angeles, at Sacramento, and at Washington DC,
chained themselves to the White House, and lobbied their elected
officials; all to regain what they deserve: Full Equity and Justice.
The United States Government has the obligation to take care of those
who defend the country. Please do not overlook the vital role Filipino
soldiers played during WWII.
Eric Garcetti,
Councilman, Thirteenth Council District,
City of Los Angeles.
______
Dear Chairman Akaka and Members of the Committee: My name is
Wilfreda Tungol, a resident of Hawaii and a retired U.S. Army Reserve
Officer. I am submitting this testimony in support of S.B. 57 entitled
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. I would have preferred to give
this testimony in person, but given the circumstance of timing and
distance, I respectfully submit it in writing for the record. If time
permits, I request that one of your staff members read it aloud for the
whole Committee.
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 will finally correct the
miscarriage of justice suffered by thousands of Filipino veterans who
risked their lives in fighting for our country in the Philippines
during World War II. The bill will enable them to have their service in
the organized military forces of the then Commonwealth of the
Philippines and in the Philippine Scouts equally recognized as services
rendered in the United States Army. Some of the surviving veterans are
now into their 80's. More than two thousand live in Hawaii. Most of
them live alone because they cannot bring their immediate relatives
under the current immigration laws. Most of them suffer financial
hardships because they are not eligible for service connected benefits
as a result of their service during World War II in the regular
Philippine Army or the Philippine Scouts. Each time I see one of these
Filipino veterans, I am reminded of my two uncles who fought alongside
the regular U.S. Army during the war and who both made the ultimate
sacrifice fighting for our country.
One of my two uncles (Jesus Tungol) was a member of the U.S. Armed
Forces of the Far East (USAFFE), and the other (Manuel Tungol) was a
member of the Philippine Scouts. According to my grandmother, Manuel
died fighting the Japanese Army in Intramuros, Manila while Jesus
during a battle in Bataan. My grandmother was one of the survivor
beneficiaries of Jesus' death as a result of his service before the law
was changed in 1947 whereby veterans who served in either organization
was excluded from receiving benefits or their beneficiaries in the
event that they were killed during the war. The Filipino veterans would
have been entitled to receive service connected disability benefits as
well as other benefits if the laws have not been changed. Their loved
ones would have been entitled to survivors' benefits if they made the
ultimate sacrifice. Instead, the surviving Filipino veterans have had
to wait for over three generations before they can rightfully receive
what they are entitled to.
Each passing week, a Filipino veteran dies in our country, without
having received what they were entitled to for serving their country.
They die alone, in poverty, and in distraught becasue they were left
behind. While they have been given partial benefits by allowing them to
come to this country, and be buried in veterans' cemeteries, the more
substantial benefits such as medical and monetary pensions have not
been accorded to them.
I urge the Members of this Committee to do the right and honorable
thing and to do everything in its power for the passage of this bill in
the soonest possible time given the urgency of the time that is left
for the surviving Filipino veterans.
Mahalo and Aloha.
LTC Wilfredo Tungkol,
U.S. Army, Retired.
______
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
of Southern California,
Los Angeles, California.
Dear Chairman Akaka and Members of the Committee: On behalf of the
Asian Pacific American Legal Center, we are writing to support the
Filipino Veterans Equity Act, which would restore veteran status for
Filipino WWII veterans, making them eligible for the veteran benefits
they deserve and reversing an injustice they have suffered for over 60
years.
Founded in 1983, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) is
a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for civil rights,
providing legal services and education, and building coalitions to
positively influence and impact Asian Pacific Americans and to create a
more equitable and harmonious society. APALC is affiliated with the
Asian American Justice Center (formerly NAPALC) in Washington, DC.
Filipino Americans are the second largest Asian American community,
and California has the largest Filipino American population of any
state in the country by far. Almost half of the nation's Filipino
Americans live in California, home to approximately 1.1 million
Filipino Americans. For over twenty years, APALC has worked with and
advocated for the Filipino American community in Southern California,
and we can assure you that the plight of the Filipino WWII veterans is
very important to this sizable community.
Filipino WWII veterans have waited for over 60 years for Congress
to correct the historical injustice that took place in 1946. From 1941
to 1945, over 200,000 Filipinos fought and died as American nationals
under the American flag and under the direction of U.S. military
leaders. Despite their service, the Rescission Act of 1946 stripped
these veterans of both the ability to become U.S. citizens and the
rights and benefits given to all other World War II veterans. Today,
fewer than 20,000 Filipino WWII veterans remain, and they are dying at
the rate of ten a day.
The plight of these veterans is particularly acute here in
California. In 1990, Filipino WWII veterans were finally given the
opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship, and thousands of them moved to
California to spend their remaining years in the U.S. These veterans,
however, soon found themselves separated from the daily interaction and
support of family members due to quotas in issuing visas to adult
children of U.S. citizens.
Separated from family, many of these veterans experience financial
difficulties, health problems, and loneliness. Some do not meet the
income level required to petition to have their family join them in the
U.S. A survey of 404 veterans in Northern and Southern California,
conducted by the Filipino American Service Group, Inc.'s (FASGI)
Filipino Veterans Health Project, found 84 percent of the veterans
reporting health problems, 75 percent suffering from loneliness and 3
percent contemplating suicide.
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act would provide these remaining
Filipino WWII veterans with the recognition and status they deserve and
pensions they need. After 60 years, this bill is a measure of
compassion for aging veterans, many of whom are approaching their last
days.
APALC strongly urges Congress to support the Filipino Veterans
Equity Act, and we thank you for your consideration of this testimony.
Respectfully yours,
Stewart Kwoh,
President and Executive Director.
Daniel Huang,
Policy Advocate, Immigration and Citizenship Project.
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