Bipartisan bill seeks to restore full benefits to Filipino WWII veterans

The surviving members of the 66th Infantry Regiment are among an estimated 10,000 Filipino World War II veterans who are still alive. FILE/VINCENT CABREZA

LOS ANGELES—More than 250,000 Filipinos fought for the United States during World War II and were promised equal treatment as American veterans after the war. But in 1946, the US Congress enacted the Rescission Act that took away full recognition of the Filipinos and stripped them of their benefits.

A group of bipartisan lawmakers has announced they are introducing a bill that would restore full benefits to the Filipino war veterans.

Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA), joined by Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) and Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam), led 38 lawmakers in introducing

the bipartisan proposed Filipino Veterans Fairness Act to ensure Filipino World War II veterans and their families receive the benefits they deserved.

US Rep. Kevin Mullen, principal author of the proposed Filipino Veterans Fairness Act. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“It’s unacceptable that these veterans were stripped of the benefits they were entitled to,” Mullin said in an announcement released to celebrate the close of Filipino-American History Month. “I cannot imagine the pain Filipino veterans and their families felt and the irreparable harm caused by this unjustified disparate treatment.”

Moylan, who co-chairs the US-Philippine Friendship Caucus, said he was committed to protecting Filipino veterans’ rights and ensuring they receive full benefits and quality health care.

“The Philippines is a close friend and ally to the United States, providing us with invaluable support to US troops in conflicts, especially during World War II,” he said,

Case said honoring the legacy of Filipino World War II veterans “cannot be just a promise, but must be action, especially as the few who are left are well into their golden years.”

These Filipino veterans are now in their nineties and their number is dwindling by the day. The number of veterans who are still alive is estimated at less than 10,000.

“Just as they fought bravely alongside our American forces in World War II, it is our duty to stand by their side today,” Case added.

Mullin’s introduction of the proposed Filipino Veterans Fairness Act continues the work of his predecessor, former Representative Jackie Speier, who first introduced a similar bill in 2011 and in every subsequent Congress in which she served.

The bill also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider alternative military documentation when determining eligibility. This would remove a significant hurdle that has kept many deserving dependents from receiving their rightful benefits as many official service records for Filipino veterans were destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.