For Immediate Release
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
July 03, 2015

JFAV COMMENDS DVA FOR PROMISED COOPERATION ON 4,000 APPEALS OF DENIED VETERANS LUMP SUM CLAIMS

Los Angeles—The Justice For Filipino America Veterans (JFAV) in a press conference this afternoon today, July 02 at KAPISTAHAN GRILL commends the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Secretary Robert MacDonald for his promise to form a working group to expedite the appeals process of the 4,000 Filipino World War II Veterans who appealed their cases to the DVA Appeals Court .

The Secretary also acknowledged during the meeting with JFAV and ACFV last June 29 at the DVA Office that 41,000 Filipino World War II Veterans filed claims to the lump sun. JFAV reiterated this fact during the talks between them and the DVA last June 29 at the DVA Office

4,000 Unresolved Appeals

JFAV National Coordinator Arturo Garcia said, “ JFAV welcomed this move as progressive. It is good that the Secretary acknowledged that 70 years is long enough for the Filipinos to wait to get their compensation. “4,000 Appeals for Lump Sum
Claims still Unresolved

Garcia pointed out during the meeting with Secretary McDonald, ” that More than 25,000 veterans out of the 41,000 FIlipino veterans who applied for claims were denied their claims for lump sum and only 4,000 filed their appeals to the DVA Appeals Court.”

During the meeting, Usec Brad Florh said they have only 66 known claims for appeals at present. But later acknowledged the fact when the JFAV pointed out that it was DVA data that announced that there are unresolved 4,000 appeals to the lump sum claims since 2011.

Broken Promises

Newly arrived World Wart II Veteran 90 year old Ciriaco Sajuela said, “ I hope that the US to fulfill the broken promise of President Bush to Filipino World War II Veterans to recognize their services and pay their benefits.”

Ciriaco Sajuela was a Philippine Scouts under the US Army /USAFFE during World War II From Bicol. He served in an anti-tank unit and the HQ of the USAFFE in Bicol.

Jen Morada, a FASGI youth volunteer called her fellow FilAm youth to support the Veterans struggle for recognition and equity. She also said, “they need our help especially they are on the twilight of their years.

Rey Ganon, another FASGI volunteer called on Philippine President to help the Filipino World War II Veterans in the Philippines. There are still more than 25,000 Filipino veterans who are living in the Philippines at present.

Aside from Garcia, Veteran Ciriaco Sajuela , Ms, Bernie Ganon,PREsident of the FILAM INTERNATIONAL-USA; Rey Ganon and a youth volunteer Jen Morada attended the press conference in the KAPISTAHAN Grill.

For more information about the jfav please call us (213)241-0995 or email us [email protected]

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