FilAm Vets Oppose NaFFAA’s Statement on Vets Claims
JFAV UPDATES
September 22, 2013
FilAm Vets Oppose NaFFAA’s Statement on Vets Claims
Los Angeles—“It is very hypocritical for an organization to praise the President for an act that continually denied veterans and survivors complete recognition and benefits,” said Arturo Garcia, national coordinator of Justice for Filipino-American Veterans (JFAV) in reaction to a statement by the National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA).
NaFFAA’s Chairman Ed Navarra thanked President Obama for directing the API Inter-Agency Group to address the issue of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) claims. Navarra also gloated the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) review of claims that have been rejected because of eligibility issues.
NaFFAA Excludes 24,000 Filvets denied claims
“By accepting that only 4,000 Filipino veterans deserve review for their claims, Navarra had toed the DVA anti-Filipino veterans line and consigned the more than 24, 000 Filipino veterans claims to oblivion,’ Garcia said.
Of the 40,000 who applied for benefits when the FVEC was approved in 2009, more than 24,000 were denied by the DVA due to issues in documents.
Garcia furthered criticized NaFFAA when Navarra said, “We are hoping for legislative remedy.” “NaFFA did not lift a finger to support the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011 and 2013 and now they claim to support legislative effort,” Garcia said.
“It is but stomach churning to say that Obama’s visit to the Philippines ‘coincides with the Filipino American history month’ when Obama perpetuates the systemic racism that happens right now.”
Since 1946, the US Congress still does not recognize the US military service of the 250,000 Filipino veterans who fought side by side with Americans to defend an American territory in Asia during WW II.
Out of the Allied 66 nationalities who served, the Filipinos were singled out not to receive full benefits as American veterans.
For more information please contact JFAV at (213)241-0995 or email at [email protected]
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