On the 65h Year of the Formation of the USAFFE, the drafting of Filipinos into the US armed forces, July 26, 1941.



Los Angeles – On the 65th Anniversary of the impression of Filipino Army to the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) today, on July 26, 1941 different groups held different kinds of commemoration all over California.

Some groups celebrate the 65th year of the US presidential order as “USAFFE Day “ as if this day is something to be proud of wherein 140,000 the Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth who fought during World War II were never recognized as American World War II veterans. They were denied of any benefit under the infamous Rescission Act of since February 18, 1946.

Other so-called veteran advocacy groups holds health fairs and symposiums to commemorate this day as form of their subservience to display their colonial mentality towards the US government to celebrate this day.

But for the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of veterans, students, youth and community advocates for veterans equity and justice, this day is an affirmation of their commitment to struggle on for recognition, equity and justice.

Working with the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV) in Washington D C, People’s CORE, JFAV and the Coalition to Defend Immigrant Rights (CDIR) is pushing concerted mass activities such as the lobbying efforts in the US Congress that the Veterans Family Reunification Amendment, giving them special status in the Comprehensive Immigration Bill (SB 2611) will become a law and a reality. Other groups also are launching mass actions in other places.

Fights Racism and Anti Immigrant Attacks

The Republicans and other anti-immigrant forces are forcing the immigrant issues to be one of the prime issues during the November-mid term elections for senators, congressmen and some governors in different states. They are trying to have the Senate Bill 2611 shelved and are conducting hearings to delay the passage of the bill.

JFAV, People’s CORE are calling all Filipino American community activists, youth leaders and all concerned individuals and organizations all over the United States to be vigilant and struggle to have the Senate Bill or any compromise bill pass with the amendment for Filipino American veterans and their families.

At present, there are still more than 11,000 living Filipino veterans in the United States, 4,000 of them in California. There are still at least 54,000 Filipino veterans living in the Philippines who can avail of these benefits if the immigration bill will pass this year.

JFAV coordinator Arturo Garcia said: “ Let us not persevere not only in our struggle for justice and recognition but for amnesty and full rights for all immigrants now. Let us fight immigrant bashing and all bigoted and racist attacks against our community.

For more information please contact Arturo P. Garcia or Johneric Concordia of JFAV@(213)241-0995 or email@jfav_causa@yahoo.com.