Veterans happy over partial victory
World War II veterans, their number
dwindling through the years, troop to the
Balantang Memorial Cemetery National
Shrine in Jaro, Iloilo City to attend the
64th commemoration of Victory Day in
Panay, Romblon and Guimaras.
A.CHRIS FERNANDEZ
Over the years, the rows of chairs have significantly dwindled and many faces were noticeably absent. Most of those who came were widows and orphans.
But yesterday's commemoration of the 64th anniversary of the liberation of Panay, Guimaras and Romblon islands from Japanese occupation carried a jubilant note.
“We won a partial victory. We were ultimately recognized officially. It may be late but it's better than nothing,” said engineer Rodolfo Lataquin, president of the 6th Military District WWII Veterans Association Inc.
The commemorative rites, held at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery and National Shrine in Barangay Quintin Salas in Jaro District here, was attended by around 200 veterans and relatives and officials led by Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Lataquin said the recent passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides for the official recognition of services rendered by Filipino World War II veterans to the US government and the release of a lump-sum payment to eligible veterans are reasons for veterans like him to celebrate.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs will pay around US$198 million to around 18,000 who will each receive a one-time payment of $9,000 or $15,000 (for veterans who are US citizens).
He said the Recovery and Reinvestment Act corrected the “injustices” of the Rescission Act of 1946.
The Rescission Act said that the service of Filipinos “shall not be deemed to be or to have been service in the military or national forces of the United States or any component thereof or any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges or benefits.”
But Lataquin said they are saddened that many of their friends and fellow veterans died before the US law was passed and will never receive the benefits.
“Many veterans died just a few days after they filed their application,” said Lataquin in an interview.
He also stressed that compensation and benefits were not the central issue in their struggle for recognition after the war ended.
“It is not about compensation. We didn't think or talked about benefits or compensation when we fought more than 60 years ago. We did it for love of our country and freedom,” said a teary-eyed Lataquin.
Lataquin said they hoped that the younger generations will visit the memorial cemetery and shrine and to be aware and remember the sacrifices of the veterans and those who died in the war.
Jesus Terry Adevoso, Presidential Assistant for Veterans Affairs, said during the program that this year's celebration had a special meaning.
“The struggle of 64 years for recognition has been fulfilled,” said Adevoso.
He said the most important thing is that the sacrifices and military service of the veterans have been finally recognized.
But Adevoso said the recognition has “opened doors to many benefits.”
He said Filipino lobby groups in the US are campaigning for benefits and compensation for widows and orphans of Filipino WWII veterans.
The widows and orphans have been excluded from compensation and benefits of the veterans.
Adevoso said the benefits they would push for include medical care and a chance for veterans who are already in the US to bring with them their families from the Philippines.
The lobby groups would also campaign for the reinstatement of the deducted 25 percent of the social security pension of Filipino veterans who came home from the US.
“Only the battle against the Japanese (troops) is over. The ill-effects of World War II and the Rescission Act are still with us,” said Adevoso.
Cecilia Hidrosollo welcomed the campaign. She said the P5,000 monthly pension of her father Bernardino stopped when he died in March 2000.
Lataquin said a major concern is how many veterans who are not officially recorded in the US Adjutant Generals Office will avail of the benefits.
“I know of many genuine veterans who cannot avail of the benefits and compensation because they are not officially recorded,” he said.
But time is fast running out for many of the veterans who are still waiting for the benefits after they filed their applications last month with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Porferio Lerado, 84, who was a guerrilla and a member of the Philippine Scouts in 1943, noted that two-thirds of those who attended yesterday's ceremony were widows and children of veterans.
“We are fading away,” said fellow veteran Arthur Venus.