After waiting for over three decades, some semblance of justice finally arrived for the thousands of Martial Law victims.
Starting May 12, 2017, Martial Law victims will receive the first payment of theirmuch-awaited compensation, according to the Human Rights Violation Claims Board (HRVCB).
300 people from the 4,000 claimants will receive half of their compensation according to law. The claimants will get “monetary reparation” with a final decision, according to an ABS-CBN News report.
“Meaning that the claimant opted not to appeal, hindi na siya nag-appeal (he will no longer appeal), and we did not receive any opposition to the claim,” HRVCB chairperson Lina Sarmiento explained in the same report.
The initial compensation and cash cards will be distributed at the HRVCB headquarters in UP Diliman, Quezon City and starting May 12, they can get it from any LandBank branch.
As to how much each claimant will get, it depends on their “points” according to Republic Act No. 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013. Each “point” (1 to 10) corresponds to human rights violation under the regime of Ferdinand Marcos who declared Martial Law in 1972.
Victims who died or have gone missing is equivalent to 10 points, while victims who were tortured or raped will get between 6 to 9 points. Those who were detained under the Marcos regime will get 3 to 5 points, while those whose rights were violated according to Sec. 3 Par. 4-6 of RA10368 will get 1 to 2 points.
Today, each “point” is equivalent to PhP 25,000 (US $501.52) based on the PhP 9.76-billion budget.
“Money is not enough to bring back lost lives, lost dreams, lost hopes. This is just symbolic, to honor the heroism and sacrifices of the Filipinos who suffered during Martial Law,” said Sarmiento.
There are about 75,730 Martial Law victims who are appealing for compensation for the unspeakable abuse they experience under the Marcos dictatorship. Every applicant and every claim is scrutinized by the HRVCB.
For those who are claiming their compensation, make sure to bring their acknowledgment receipt, one government-issued ID, and one 1×1 ID picture. For questions, call the HRVCB at (02) 373-4847 or (02) 533-1872.
