Advocates for Filipino veterans from World War II continue to push for recognition and benefits for the embattled veterans, reports ABS CBN.
They gathered in Los Angeles to mark the 73rd anniversary of the formation of armed forces in the Philippines organized by the US. On July 26, 1941 an executive order by President Franklin Roosevelt created an armed forces in the Far East, combining US Forces with the Philippine Scouts and the army of the commonwealth.
“This is the proof that the United States conscripted the Filipino soldiers, the entire Commonwealth Army of the Philippines in 1941,” said Arturo Garcia of Justice for Filipino-American Veterans.
The Veterans Affairs has refused to grant the vets their promised lump sum payments because it cannot find their records, some which were lost in a catastrophic fire.
