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The Associated Press By GENE KRAMER WASHINGTON (AP) - Stepping up their campaign for veterans benefits, Philippine Americans who fought under the U.S. flag a half century ago marched on the White House for the second time in a month--and again some were arrested. Fifteen demonstrators were hauled away by police Friday after they sprawled on the sidewalk to symbolize the Bataan death march or clung to the iron fence fronting the White House. Those arrested included a dozen decorated World War II veterans in their 70s and 80s now living in the United States, two veterans' daughters and a professor from Manila University. All were charged with disobeying police orders. They were released about three hours later after paying fines of $50 each provided by Philippine American leaders gathered in Washington for a conference. The demonstration was similar to a protest July 26 when about 300 Philippine Americans also gathered near the White House, demanding that Filipinos who fought under the American flag during World War II be granted U.S. veterans benefits. Some of the demonstrators were arrested and briefly held then as well. Joining Friday's rally was one of the wealthiest Americans of Philippine ancestry, Loida Nicolas Lewis, chairwoman and CEO of TLC Beatrice Holdings, the trans-Atlantic food conglomerate. ``Your cause is right. For 51 years you have been denied benefits available to anyone who fought under the American flag,'' she told nearly 400 marchers. ``For the first time, the bills are being discussed'' in Congress, Lewis continued, referring to pending legislation in both houses of Congress. The legislation calls for restoring medical care, pension and burial benefits that Filipinos lost when the former U.S. colony gained independence in 1946. When asked about a rumor that she would join those arrested, Ms. Lewis said she was supporting the cause by helping to bail them out. The American Coalition for Filipino Veterans estimates that surviving World War II veterans number about 70,000, including 26,000 who live in the United States, some in poverty. (According to one source, an average of five Filipinos die every day without receiving the benefits due them.) The claims are based on former President Franklin Roosevelt's declaring the entire Philippines military under American control in 1941 and on the award of veterans' benefits to U.S. military force members of all other nationalities in the war. But in anticipation of Philippine independence, Congress attached a rider to a 1946 appropriations excluding Filipinos from such benefits. Although he signed the bill, President Harry Truman said at the time the United States had a moral obligation to look after Filipino veterans. In 1990, Congress made Filipino veterans eligible for U.S. citizenship.
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THINGS YOU CAN DO:
CONTACT
Many legislators have web pages and thus e-mail addresses, so you can visit their sites and e-mail them: Some issues to raise with your legislator or the White House:
VISIT THESE LINKS
THIS ISSUE DOES NOT JUST CONCERN FILIPINOS IN THE U.S. BUT ALL FILIPINOS AROUND THE WORLD. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE U.S., PLEASE E-MAIL THE WHITE HOUSE. CONGRESS TAKES A RECESS WITHIN TWO WEEKS, SO PLEASE ACT NOW!!! 
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