2002 2001
The Sight of the Philippine American Friendship Celebration
Philippine-American Veteran Organization- Read Guerilla Story of Escolastico Valerio
House of Representatives VA Subcommittee on Health
June 13, 2002 Washington DC
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:
My name is Lou Diamond Phillips, an American
citizen of Filipino descent. I am proud to say
that I come from a family on both sides who have
performed military duty in the service of this
country. I have five Filipino uncles who have
proudly served in the U.S. Navy; two of whom went
on to become staff members of the White House
under President Nixon.
Both my father and stepfather were also sailors in the Navy; my
stepfather, George Phillips, having served two
tours of duty in Vietnam. My father was so proud
of his military affiliation that he named me after
a war hero of the Second World War, Gunnery
Sergeant Lew Diamond, a Marine legend in the
Pacific Theatre.
I stood proudly beside my mother, Lucita, as her
witness when she took her oath of citizenship to
become an American. Like many immigrants who
choose to become citizens of this country, my
mother and the remainder of her Filipino family
have become proud and contributing members of the
American society, eagerly embracing the
opportunities that this great country has provided
their families. They have watched their children,
first generation Americans, as they became
doctors, lawyers and teachers.
I, myself, realize that my career in
the film industry would probably
not have been possible anywhere else in the world
and, for that, I am eternally grateful. I truly
believe in America as a shining light, as the
symbol in the world for democracy and freedom. It
is for these reasons, and many more, that, today,
I consider it not only my privilege but my duty to
speak for the 'Filipino Veterans of World War II.
As many of you know, President Franklin Roosevelt
drafted the Commonwealth Army Soldiers of the
Philippines who were United States Nationals into
American Military Service on July 26, 1941. Many
of these soldiers were still teenagers. Yet, they
bravely answered the call to battle, fighting side
by side with their American allies. Farm boys from
different parts of the world became fast friends
and comrades; brothers in arms. Many thousands
paid the ultimate price.
For those Filipino soldiers who survived the horrific battles and
the
ghastly conditions of the infamous prisoner of war
camps, the promise was made by the American
government that they would be considered United
States Veterans with "active service" by the
Veterans Administration and, therefore, be
entitled to all of the benefits that that designation entailed.
However, a scant five years later, after victory
in the Pacific was assured, these guarantees were
rescinded by the U.S. government on February 18,
1946, when it enacted the "Rescission Act" (public
law 79-301 now U.S. code sec. 101, title 38).
Effectively, this action seemed to deny the
involvement of the Filipino soldiers in the war
effort and, certainly, was a poor repayment for
the loyalty shown by the Filipino people.
In fact, many war historians and
American Veterans of the
Pacific Theatre have noted that, if not for the
contributions of the Commonwealth Army Soldiers,
the Filipino guerillas and the scouts and even the
Filipino citizens who served as spies and couriers
for U.S. Intelligence, the tide of the war, which
at the time of conscription was in a desperate
state, may not have turned toward an American
victory. The brave contributions of the men and
women of the Philippines cannot be quantified and
certainly should not be diminished.
In the sixty years since official U.S. recognition
of the Filipino Veterans was withdrawn, a few
positive steps have been made in reparation. In
1990, 26,000 Filipino Veterans were naturalized as
U.S. citizens under the 1990 Immigration and
Naturalization Act because of their U.S. military
service. Additionally, under public law, PL
106-419, they may be buried in VA National
Cemeteries as U.S. Veterans. However, while they
live, they are denied eligibility to be patients
in the VA Hospitals.
Many of these men are well
into their eighties and beyond. They are now
certainly in need of the kind of medical attention
that the VA benefits would provide. But, perhaps,
even more importantly, they desire as their last
wish the recognition that they so richly deserve
for the sacrifices that they made in the fight for
freedom and democracy.
I know a little something about the Filipino
culture. We are a proud people. It is my
observation that many Filipinos would rather have
the respect of their families and their
communities than have material gain. Since 1990,
an estimated 12,000 Filipino Veterans have died
waiting for recognition for the single greatest
achievement of their lives.
We are now losing these brave men, once young and passionate
fighters, now infirmed and without a strong voice
of their own, at the alarming rate of up to five
men a day. Time continues to run out for the ones
who remain, and a posthumous award in the form of
a military burial can only be considered the next
best thing.
Let us celebrate these men while they still live.
It is important to note that U.S. recognition of
these veterans would not just be a token gesture.
There are presently an estimated 13,849 Filipino
Veterans who reside in the United States and
another 46,050 who live in the Philippines. That
is nearly 60,000 families that will be impacted by
your decision. Nearly 60,000 men whose wives and
children and grandchildren will know, without
qualification, that their husbands and fathers
were heroes.
Additionally, and certainly not unimportantly,
with the passage of these bills before you, these
men and women in the twilight of their lives will
become eligible to receive Veteran's benefits from
the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs. Benefits
such as VA Health Care at VA hospitals, out
patient clinics and nursing homes in the U.S.,
including a clinic in Manila and a monthly
permanent disability pension if they are poor and
disabled.
I hasten to remind you that these
benefits are not new prizes to be awarded, but
guarantees that need to be re-instated after our
government promised and then rescinded this status
after services had been rendered in good faith.
Today, we can right a wrong and pay respect where
it is long overdue. Please join your colleagues in
the speedy passage of these bills; S. 1042 was
introduced by Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) a WWll
veteran and co-sponsored by nine Senators: Akaka
(D-Hawaii), Allen (R-Virginia), Boxer
(D-California), Feinstein (D-California), Clinton
(D-New York), Sarbanes (D-Maryland), Miller
(D-Georgia), Durbin (D-Illinois) and Murray
(D-Washington). H.R. 491 was introduced by Rep.
Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), another WWll Veteran, and
Rep. Bob Filner (D-California) and has 49
co-sponsors in the House. H.R. 4904 was introduced
by Rep. Bob Filner and co-sponsored by Moran
(R-Kansas), Evans (D-Illinois), Gilman (R-New
York), Scott (D-Virginia), Cunningham
(R-California), Pelosi (D-California), Rohrabacher
(R-California), Mink (D-Hawaii),
Millender-McDonald (D-California), Lofgren
(D-California), and Underwood (D-Guam).
In closing, I am reminded of the words of General
Douglas McArthur when he said to the Filipino
people and to his American troops hopelessly
entrenched in the islands, "I shall return." It is
my belief that he didn't mean that he would return
empty-handed
June is the Filipino-American month when the Filipino-American celebrates the Friendship Day and Rizal Day.
The Ladies of Rizal and Knights of Rizal celebrated the Philippine national hero last June 23 in Rizal Plaza at Columbus Drive, Jersey City.
Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham announced that the city will help in the construction of Rizal park where the monument was built.
Sir Armando Porto of the Knights of Rizal said, “We are celebrating the 141th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal. It is important to remember him in our minds and spirits because he made us free from the Spanish colonization.”
Sir Jose Red, commander of the Knights of Rizal, New Jersey Chapter, said, “His love for country was noteworthy. He fought for the cause of the poor and the underprivileged. He represents the ideals of a true Filipino.” (from the Filipino Express. July 1, 2002)
The Anglo-American Experience of Rizal-1888
http://www.filipinohome.com/rizal