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FILIPINO VETERANS MIGHT RESORT TO DRASTIC MEASURES

TO GET BENEFITS -- Filipino vets' leader: "Hunger strike

and protest. We've been waiting for too long."

For more about Filipino veterans and their fight for benefits, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/ses
search.php?q=filipino&op=and

Story here... http://www.asian
journal.com/?c=124&a=23760

Story below:

-------------------------

Filipino Vets Might Resort to Drastic Measures

Joseph Pimentel
Asianjournal.com

LOS ANGELES -- Members of the American Coalition of Filipino World War II Veterans (ACFV) announced it would resort to drastic measures if Congress does not make any significant developments on the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill this year.

“Hunger strike and protest,” said Franco Arcebal of ACFV in front of large number of Filipino WWII veterans, widows and supporters at the Lake Street Park. “We are also going to do a weekly vigil until October 31.”

If the group does not see any positive developments by October 31, ACFV plans to do a mass rally in Washington DC.

“We’ve been waiting for too long,” said Arcebal.

“As we’ve done in the past, we’re going to show the American public and political powers that they need to pass this bill,” added Eric Lachica, executive director of the ACFV in a phone interview. Lachica was in Washington DC and could not attend the event.

The Filipino Veterans Equity bill has been in limbo since it passed in both House of Representative and Senate Veteran’s committees last June and July, respectively. If passed, an estimated 7,000 WWII Filipino American veterans living in the US and 12,000 WWII Filipino veterans in the Philippines will be eligible for Veteran’s Affairs (VA) disability pension benefits.

The bill carried a lot of momentum after its passage in the Veteran’s Committees but has yet to make an official floor debate appearance in either House of Representatives or Senate.

Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) said he’s waiting for the Senate to take the lead on the issue before he presents it to the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee Chair Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) has been in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Ranking Member Steve Buyer, Philippine Ambassadors and lobbyist Ben Gilman, according to Lachica.

Lachica said the bill is still facing the same problem - the off-shore distribution of money. Akaka’s bill pledged $300 a month for Filipino WWII veterans living in the Philippines. However, Republicans contend that $100 is sufficient given the Philippine’s standard of living. Lachica is hoping the two will settle a compromise of $200 a month.

“We are optimistic that they are working on an agreement,” said Lachica.

Lachica said he’ll continue to meet with former Republican leaders seeking advice on how to get the much needed Republican support and most importantly, their vote.

Tired of Waiting

As Arcebal finished making his speech on the ACFV’s future actions, many Filipino WWII veterans and widows lined up in front of the media to make their pleas.

One by one the veterans lined up explaining the reason for the passage of the bill.

“I’ve been waiting for 60 years,” said Victor Velasco. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to live to get my benefits.”

“We would like to see the bill arrive by the end of this year,” said Nick Gadia dressed in his Army uniform. “What’s the use of waiting if we’re already dead.”

The situation heightened as Arcebal broke the news that one of their own members and long-time supporter Lt. Mariano Loria passed away last October 14. Loria attended every Filipino WWII functions. He wrote vigorously to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and US Congressman Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) about the plight of the Filipino veterans.

“Time is literally running out,” said Mike Nailat, Outreach Coordinator of Search to Involve Filipino Americans. “They [WWII veterans] are going to continue to pass away.”

“Many of us are dying,” added Arcebal. “We don’t even know what’s going to happen to us tomorrow.”

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Larry Scott  --

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