No pensions for Pinoy WWII vets

Only medical benefits, and not pensions, are granted to Filipino-American World War II veterans under the new laws passed recently by the United States Congress, the Office of Veteran Affairs (OVA) based in the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC clarified yesterday.

OVA added that this new benefit is only for those who are already American citizens or are legally residing in the US.

The clarification was issued by Jesus Terry Adevoso, OVA’s head and special presidential representative, to correct misconceptions over the "new" benefits which may mislead Filipino war veterans and their families.

"We have to issue this statement because unscrupulous parties may again victimize unknowing Filipino WWII veterans and their families and ask them for money to expedite their receipt of the new benefits that are actually non-existent for those in the Philippines.

Adevoso added that the new laws would benefit few surviving war veterans. "Only about 8,000 Filipino US citizens or resident veterans are covered by these new laws, while the majority, estimated to number 22,000, still in the Philippines get nothing at all," he said.

Veterans organizations in the country had earlier tagged the laws as "unfair and discriminatory.