Kerry backs Pinoy WWII vets

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry has urged the US government to officially recognize the contributions of Filipino World War II veterans and give them the benefits they deserve.

In a message Kerry said more than 200,000 Filipinos fought valiantly under the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in World War II and "played a critical role in the Allied victory."

"Following the war, many of these veterans were denied the benefits they deserved. The time to formally recognize the contributions of these courageous soldiers is long overdue," said Kerry, a Vietnam War veteran.

Kerry’s message was read at a rally held recently by members of the Washington-based American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV).

"From veteran to veteran, I thank you for your service," he said.

The ACFV is lobbying for the passage of a bill in the US Congress which seeks to provide a $100 monthly pension for 21,000 Filipino World War II veterans living in the Philippines, an amount supporters claim is reasonable.

Other veterans groups, who say Filipinos deserve no less than their American counterparts, are backing another bill that seeks a monthly pension of $800 a month, the same amount low-income US war veterans receive.