Justice for The Filipino American Veterans(JFAV)

1610 Beverly Blvd. Suite No.2

Los Angeles, CA 90026

January 25. 2010



Dear Editor,

Greetings for the New Year 2010!

As the deadline for the application nears, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), the national alliance of veterans,youth / students and community advocates bewails the sad fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has reportedly denied 7,000 claims out of the 34,000 applications.

The Filipino-American media outlets in the United States have reported that more than 11,000 veterans have received their claims according to the report of the DVA.

Initially until December, 2009 the DVA data says that 2,000 claims have been denied and 11,000 claims has been granted to Filipinos both in the US and in the Philippines. The DAV also reported that 27,00 claims are up for processing.

64th year of the Infamous Rescission Act of 1946

As it is several weeks to Feb 18, 2010, the 64th year of the Rescission Act of 1946 when the US congress stripped the Filipino veterans their rights and benefits as American veterans, JFAV JFAV, noted that this will be the 64th year that we are still unrecognized for our military service for America .

We must correct this historical wrong. The Justice for Filipino Veterans (JFAV) again reiterates that we will not stop until this insult to as a people and to our heritage is corrected. We will not settle for less.

Adding insult to injury, the US Congress removed the 54,000 living Filipino World War II veterans from the Enhanced American Veterans Benefits Law or the New GI Bill of 2008. Instead they gave the veterans a one time lump- sum- ( $ 15,000 to American citizens and $ 9,000 to Filipino citizens)—in essence - hush money for their “ human suffering for waiting for this lump sum” not a recognition of their war time service.

We will not accept the feudal reason of “ its better than nothing” for it is the height of mendicancy to accept such reason.

We vow on this day, that we will redouble our efforts to correct the wrongs and trespass against our people, Until recognition, equity and justice is attained we will not rest!.

IPAGPATULOY ANG LABAN PARA SA KATARUNGAN!

NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!



Sincerely yours,



Joy-Alonica Bautista

JFAV Media Coordinator