Philippines goes to bat for veterans denied benefits by US

Philippine government officials in the United States have lobbied US officials anew in behalf of Filipino World War II veterans who were denied benefits.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia met last week with officials of the US Congress, US Army and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA).

Cuisia made strong representations with Army Deputy Undersecretary Thomas Hawley for assistance in ensuring that no Filipino veteran was unjustly denied benefits, the DFA said.

“He argued for veterans who had been denied benefits pursuant to the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) wherein Filipino World War II veterans are given a one-time lump sum,” the DFA said of Cuisia.

US Army officials committed to look into particularly compelling cases that the US Embassy in Manila may wish to bring to their attention, the DFA said.

It said the US Army also pledged to work closely with the DVA to ensure that no one would be denied their benefits because of an administrative error.

“While the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, is tasked to certify and validate the military service of Filipino veterans using two lists—a roster and a discharge list—instances of lapses in the NPRC certification process have been found,” the DFA said.

The US Embassy insisted that being on either list should serve as sufficient proof of service. US Army officials said the two lists were diligently prepared and were meant to complement each other.