ILOILO CITY, , Philippines – At least 130 claimants in Western Visayas last March 14 each received check of P43,200, equivalent to US$1,000, representing compensation for the victims of human right violations during the martial law regime of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
The money was distributed by a representative of American lawyer Robert Swift, the lead counsel of 1081 Claimants Group.
The Commission on Human Rights–Region 6, headed by David Bermudo, facilitated the release of the money to the claimants in this region. He said his office expected only 92 claimants to be accommodated but 130 got their compensation shares.
Based on records of the 1081 Claimants Group, 512 of over 9,000 victims in the country are in Western Visayas.
“The schedule of the release of their claims was given to them but there are some claimants who went ahead of their schedule. If time permits, we still accommodate them,” Bermudo said.
Claimants from Western Visayas have until Friday to get their check at CHR-6 office. It only takes less than a day for the listed claimants listed to get their money, he said adding that they have shown the court notice and have their names verified. – THE FREEMAN