Pilipino WWII Veterans Benefits

December 7, 1941. A day that will live in infamy…

It’s no secret what happened to the United States of America on that day. To many Pilipinos, it’s no secret either that in anticipation of Japanese aggression in the Asia-Pacific Region, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called to order the armed forces of the Philippines to fight under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East through an Executive Order issued on July 26, 1941*. (President Roosevelt was able to do this because the Philippines was still under the control of the United States, and would not be given independence until 1946.)

The executive order stated “As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and the Navy of the United States, I hereby call and order into service of the Armed Forces of the United States… under the command of a General Officer, United States Army… all of the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.” As a result, thousands of Pilipinos fought along side American troops, under the command of the United States Army, to help defeat the Japanese in WWII.

On February 20, 1946, President Harry Truman stated “Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the United States and will continue in that status until July 4, 1946. They fought, as American nationals, under the American flag, and under the direction of our military leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under most difficult conditions.”
(July 4, 1946 is the date in which the Philippines gained independence from the control of the United States.)

However, Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946 which stripped Pilipinos, who fought for the Americans in WWII, of their rights stating that “Service before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the military order of the President, dated July 26, 1941 ... shall not be deemed to have been active military, naval or air service for the purposes of any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges, or benefits upon any person by reason of the service of such person or the service of any other person in the Armed Forces.” Thus began the long fight to be awarded the rights promised to Pilipino veterans.

Fast forward 67 years to today, and Pilipino veterans still fighting for their benefits. In a time when many politicians are fighting and pushing for the benefits of veterans from the Global War on Terror, some, but not too many, are pushing for the benefits of Pilipino WWII veterans which they have undoubtedly earned and deserve. Many bills have been introduced in Congress to remedy the wrong dealt to the Pilipino veterans, but yet there has been delay after delay or there have been insufficient votes in one house or another to pass the legislation.

Not all is lost, however. The Department of Veterans Affairs lists benefits available to Pilipino veterans. There are four categories; Regular or “Old” Philippine Scouts; Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, Guerilla Service; “New” Philippine Scouts.

• Pilipinos who fall into the category Regular Philippine Scouts are entitled to all benefits as any veteran of the United States.
• Pilipinos who are categorized Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, Guerilla Service, or New Philippine Scouts are entitled to service-connected disability compensation. They do not qualify for non-service connected disability, nor are their survivors eligible for death pensions. If the veteran lives outside the United States, they are entitled to $.50 for every $1 compensation payment. Veterans who are citizens or legal aliens of the United States and residing in the country are entitled to full compensation payment
• Survivors of veterans categorized as Commonwealth Army of the Philippines or Guerilla Service, who are citizens or legal aliens of the United States are entitled burial benefits, at the full dollar rate, if the Veteran passes after November 1, 2000. The survivor and the veteran must reside in the United States to be eligible. The benefits include burial at a national cemetery, a burial flag, and a headstone.
• Survivors of veterans categorized as New Philippine Scouts are also entitled to the same burial benefits after December 16, 2003.
• Survivors of veterans Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, Guerilla Service, or New Philippine Scouts are entitled to “dependency and indemnity compensation” which allows them to collect benefits if the veteran died from military service. Again, the payment is $.50 for every $1 if the survivor resides outside the United States, and full compensation if the survivor is a citizen or legal alien of the United States and is residing in the country.

The veterans’ health care benefits also vary.

The benefits currently provided for are insufficient and time is running out. As Emil Guillermo said in a New America Media commentary, “At the current rate of death, the vets will all be gone in 15 years. To delay is not fiscally responsible, it's just plain cruel.” Maybe to some veterans, it’s not all about the money. It’s just about doing what’s right.

* There is a discrepancy as to the date of the Executive Order. April 26th is quoted in Filipino American Veterans and Dependents Association v. United States, 391 F. Supp. 1314 at 1317 (N.D. Cal. 1974). July 26th is quoted in H. Res. 1400 introduced in the 110th Congress, 2nd Session and the Senate Bill S. 1315.

As an aside: In voting for S. 1315 Amendment 4572 which included the monetary benefits to Pilipino veterans, the amendment failed: 41 in favor, 56 against, and 3 non-voting. Senators McCain and Obama abstained from the vote.

Sources:
Congressional Research Service: Overview of [P]ilipino Veterans’ Benefits (February 14, 2007)

H. Res. 1400 (July 31, 2008)

Politico.com – House Should Vote for [P]ilipino Vets (September 17, 2008)

Manila Mail – Fate of RP Vets Bill Hangs; Groups Oppose Compromise (September 28, 2008)

Military.com – [P]ilipino Vets Insulted by Benefits Bill (September 29, 2008)

New America Media - Death March of Filipino Veterans Politics Nearing an End (September 29, 2008)

Fact Sheet: VA Benefits for [Pilipino] Veterans