BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Martial Law-era human rights victims flooded the Iloilo Provincial Capitol yesterday to file claims for compensation before a team from the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board.
The claimants were mostly survivors of physical abuse.
“Some of those who did not survive the abuses were represented by their parents, children, siblings and direct successors,” said Atty. Jaime Arroyo of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board.
The Board has been going around the country to accept applications for claims. It estimated the number of claimants yesterday to around 500.
Arroyo said documents submitted to them will be brought to their central office in Manila for evaluation and verification.
One of the claimants who submitted documents yesterday was Cresencio Ambucay, 69, of Brgy. San Jose, Ibajay, Aklan.
He said he was physically tortured by operatives of the Civilian Home Defense Force and Philippine Constabulary during regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.
“Ikalipay gid namon kon makakuha kami (We’ll be happy to receive compensation),” Ambucay said.
Arroyo urged claimants to fully understand the process.
“Whatever they submit becomes the basis of the Board’s decision,” he said.
Claimants from Western Visayas have until today to submit the necessary documents.
“To expedite the process and to possibly strengthen the individual claims of the victims, we strongly encourage them to submit as many documents available,” Arroyo said.
These could include certifications of detention and release, pledges of allegiance, among others.
Arroyo also said compensation varies and is based on “point system”.
“The highest to get paid were victims who died or suffered from enforced disappearance. Their families are the ultimate beneficiaries,” Arroyo said.
Monina Magsael, 62, of Brgy. San Jose, Ibajay, Aklan filed a claim on behalf of her brother Loreto Bilinario.
She said Bilinario was killed by Civilian Home Defense Force operatives during Martial Law.
Marcos placed the country under military rule beginning September 1972./PN
