Victims of martial law have until midnight to file claims

MANILA, Philippines–Human right victims during martial law have until midnight on Monday night to file their papers for recognition and reparations as the six-month filing period with the Human Rights Victims Claims Board (HRVCB) comes to an end.

Although lawmakers want to extend the application period, the HRVCB said the filing would end on Nov. 10 as provided for under the law.

“The HRVCB will make the appropriate preparations to conduct the next round of acceptance of applications as soon as the extension of the filing period becomes effective,” said HRVCB Chair Lina Sarmiento.

The extension, she said, would also give more opportunity for other legitimate claimants living in far-flung areas to prepare their documents and file their claims.

Human rights victims can file their applications at the main office on the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City, and in regional desks all over the country.

As of Saturday night, the HRVCB had received 40,981 claims, according to Sarmiento.

Earlier, joint resolutions in the House of Representatives and the Senate were filed seeking an extension of the filing, prompted by the applications from many claimants.

The House has already approved on third reading the joint resolution for the extension of the filing period, while the Senate is expected to approve its counterpart measure on third reading when it resumes sessions on Nov. 17.

The HRVCB has set up regional desks in Commission on Human Rights offices in 14 cities across the country—San Fernando, La Union; San Fernando, Pampanga; Baguio; Legazpi; Tuguegarao; Cebu; Iloilo; Tacloban; Bacolod; Davao; Cagayan de Oro; Butuan; Zamboanga and Cotabato.–Julie M. Aurelio