HR victims may apply for reparations until Nov. 10

MANILA, Philippines - The Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) has issued a reminder that the deadline to apply for reparations for victims of human-rights abuses during martial law is just a month away.

HRVCB chairman Lina Sarmiento said, “We are now working double time so that we are able to process as many applications as we can. In fact, there are even law students who volunteered to help us in our work.”

Under RA 10368, HRVCB must determine monetary reparations for the victims within two years.

HRVCB earlier announced that applications for reparation and/or recognition would be accepted only until Nov. 10, 2014. Applicants still have a month to file their applications.

The HRVCB, with the help of the Commission on Human Rights, put up regional centers in certain provinces to fast-track acceptance of applications by martial law victims. There are now centers in Legazpi, Iloilo, Tacloban, Davao, Cotabato, Caraga and Batanes, among others.

The HRVCB chief encouraged all applicants to submit filled up application forms and submit other requirements.

“Under the law, even those ‘conclusively presumed’ HR violations victims including those who won the class suit, and are direct action plaintiffs in cases filed in Honolulu courts against former President Ferdinand Marcos and those recognized by the Bantayog ng Bayani Foundation, should also file. After which, their papers will have to be evaluated, and to follow is the adjudication process.”

For Metro Manila residents, applications must be filed with the secretariat of the board at its main office at the University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries.

HRVCB records showed 22,239 claimants have already filed applications for reparation.

Isabela gov’t sets up help desk

With a month before deadline, the Isabela provincial government has put up an assistance desk to help victims of martial law with their claims for reparation from the P10-billion Marcos ill-gotten wealth.

Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III called on all local government units to establish their own assistance centers to receive and help claimants from the province in the processing of their compensation claims.

Militant group Karapatan-Cagayan Valley said at least 8,000 victims of human rights abuses during the martial law regime are from Isabela. – With Charlie Lagasca