DND clarifies: P6.4B not for World War II vets

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday clarified that the P6.4 billion President Rodrigo Duterte ordered on April 9 to be expeditiously released was meant for post-war retirees and not World War II veterans.

In a statement, the DND said that based on General Appropriations Act of 2017, the P6.429 billion was allocated under the pension gratuity fund of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to settle its obligations to its post-war veterans.

The DND said that Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pension arrears of World War II veterans have been fully paid by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office from 2010-2013.

“The amount is not for World War II veterans as their Total Administrative Disability pension arrears have already been fully paid by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office from 2010-2013,” the DND said. “The P4.77 billion announced by President Duterte on August 30, 2016 during the Araw ng mga Bayani was for the TAD arrears of deceased World War II veterans to be received by their surviving spouses, and for AFP retirees who are 80 years old and above.”

The DND said that the P6.429 billion meant to settle the obligations to post-war retirees consists of pension increase adjustments from 2008-2013 pursuant to the AFP pension indexation law, which mandates a pension increase as the salaries of active soldiers increases.

The DND said that together with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the AFP, it had formed a technical working group to determine, verify and confirm the pension beneficiaries.

It also clarified that the vetting process was not contrary to Duterte’s order to expedite the payment of pension to retirees.

“Once the vetting is completed, the funds will be released accordingly, and the beneficiaries will receive their entitlements through their existing pension accounts,” the DND said.

Despite this major clarification on a promise of the president to war veterans, the defense department said that it would continue to give the best possible services to war and post-war veterans alike to honor their patriotism, selfless service and sacrifices.

“Let us show the world that the Philippines is a nation that does not forget its defenders so as to encourage the youth to emulate their ideals and follow their footsteps as patriots, defenders and leaders,” the DND said.