Recognition for Filipino Veterans

Re the story of the Vietnamese commandos who were hired by CIA agents during the Vietnam War, Oct. 4: Under legislation recently signed into law by President Clinton, each of these commandos will be paid $40,000.

The Filipino veterans of World War II do not begrudge their Vietnamese counterparts. They both rendered service to America at crucial times when there was a great and compelling need for such service. But, the injustices committed against the Filipino veterans half a century ago have not been rectified even to this day.

It would be too long to detail here the service they rendered defending the American flag. Suffice it for us to state that as American nationals they proved their loyalty. Indeed, they did not fight for free, but rights, benefits and privileges were far from their minds when they took hold of those outmoded weapons of World War I vintage, suffered starvation and disease as they defended the American flag in the trenches of Bataan and Corregidor, the death march, the concentration camp, and then, in the various hinterlands.

And yet, the people and government of this great nation refuse to recognize that the service they rendered was active service in the U.S. armed forces. The resolutions recently passed by Congress recognize no rights, grant no benefits nor bestow any privileges.

The Filipino veterans have waited too long. They are diminishing, with the sad thought that they are not looked upon as “veterans,” entitled even to an American flag to drape their coffins.

FERNANDO M. MANGUBAT

Project Coordinator

Filipino Veterans of World War II

Los Angeles