DND, veterans honor U.S. Congressman Bob Filner

MANILA, Nov. 26 (PNA) -- Filipino veterans of World War II and veterans’ rights advocates honored United States Congressman Bob Filner, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs, in a luncheon held on Wednesday at the Department of National Defense (DND) Social Hall in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The Filipino veterans expressed their gratitude to Filner for tirelessly pushing for the long overdue recognition and benefits promised to Filipino servicemen who were drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII.

During the luncheon, Defense Undersecretary and concurrent Philippine Veterans Administration Office (PVAO) Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina recounted how the U.S. lawmaker assisted them in lobbying efforts for the approval of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill in Washington, D.C.

“Congressman Bob Filner was always there helping us, telling us our way… Congressman Bob Filner was there maintaining the fight and keeping it alive,” Carolina said.

A resolution thanking Filner for his “deep commitment in achieving justice and equity for the Filipino veterans” was presented as a token of appreciation by leaders and members of veterans organizations.

Filner authored the legislation, which was subsequently approved and which led to the grant of lump-sum payments to eligible WWII Filipino veterans. He represents San Diego, California, home to the largest population of Filipino Americans in the U.S.

In his speech before the veterans, Filner revealed that his interest in the veterans issue originated upon learning the history and background of the people he represents. “I felt that the lack of recognition for the Filipinos was also a civil rights struggle,” said Filner. He added that the lack of honor given to the Filipinos for their contribution during WWII was wrong “in human rights and civil rights perspective.”

Filner said that the Philippines and the U.S. have a “long and important relationship,” adding that the contributions of the Filipino veterans to the U.S. victory in WWII and to the establishment of democracy in both countries should never be forgotten.

“And if we don’t remember that cooperation and the bravery of the Filipinos, we will lose sight of why this relationship is so important. So I thought it was important that we learn in the U.S. Congress and all of America the history of your contributions. I said yours because you were there,” Filner concluded.

Four eligible WWII Filipino veterans received their lump sum payment checks during the occasion.