Filipino Vets
Re “America Owes a Debt to Filipino Vets,” Column Right, Aug. 16: Indeed, the Filipino veterans who fought alongside the Americans in World War II are not asking for a favor from the U.S. government. They are just asking for justice and recognition due them. Why American justice has not been done for them after all these years is sad and pathetic. It is almost too late--the World War II generation is dying off--but not quite while about 70,000 are still alive.
The Battle of Bataan and Corregidor should remind the U.S. of the courage and gallantry of Filipinos in fighting the aggressor. In that battle, they defeated Japanese efforts to split the forces of Gen. Douglas MacArthur with fierce delaying actions. In the infamous death march, many Filipino soldiers were starved, mistreated, kicked, beaten and bayoneted. Of 70,000 prisoners of war, about 7,000 to 10,000 died on their way. Those who sacrificed their lives fighting for America are asking for justice and recognition.
CAMILO G. TORIO
La Mirada
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