War vets warned of fixers

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol -

Aging and sickly Boholano World War II veterans are warned by their post commanders to be cautious of fixers as the American government starts processing their money claims amounting to almost half-a-million pesos each.
In a meeting held yesterday at the JJ’s Seafoods Village, war veteran post commanders were advised to personally process their claims at the AFP Central Command, Camp Lapu-lapu, Lahug, Cebu City, Feb. 24 to 26, to avoid syndicates of fixers and to fast track the issuance of their checks.
The benefits provide a tax-free, one-time $9,000 (roughly P430,000) non-service connected compensation for veterans who are not US citizens, and $15,000 (roughly P717,000) for veterans who are US citizens.
All war veterans must receive their individual’s claim not later than February 16, 2010.
Rafael Bon, 86, the post commander of Panglao told the Chronicle that each veteran will be interviewed personally at the PVAO office at Centcom.
This is to ensure that they are not victimized by fixers who ask as much as a 50-percent cut with the assurance that money claims are released easily.
According to Bon, veterans who are already bedridden and physically unable to travel to Cebu City will be interviewed at the PVAO office here by representatives of the US Embassy on a later date this month.
He added that the compensation will be paid out in lump sum as soon as a claimant can present the required information and documentation upon filing their claims.
Each veteran are required to bring: two forms of identification (such as passport, driver’s license, Senior Citizen ID, Postal ID, Voter’s ID, etc.), VA Claim Number, Service Number, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office claim number, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Pension bank account number, and US Passport (if a US citizen).
Claims from spouses, widows and children of Filipino WWII veterans will not be accepted.
The US estimates about 18,000 Filipino veterans are still alive and eligible.