Advocates to File Suit Against U.S. Government for Guam’s WWII Survivors

Published on March, 28, 2016 by TheGuamDailypost

By Post News Staff

Members of Guam World War II Reparations Advocates Inc., a nonprofit organization under formation, announce their intention to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government on behalf of the island's wartime survivors, on March 28 Photo provided by Guam World War II Reparations Advocates Inc.

Advocates for wartime reparations to Guam’s World War II survivors announced this morning that they are filing a lawsuit against the U.S. government to secure payments for victims.

“We’re losing members of our island’s greatest generation on an almost daily basis,” said Senator Frank F. Blas, Jr. in a press conference to announce the endeavour. “So instead of continuing to hope that the United States government will one day recognize the pain and suffering they endured during WWII, we have collectively decided to sue the federal government for the reparations that they truly deserve.”

The advocates, who are in the final stages of forming as a non-profit organization to be known as the Guam World War II Reparations Advocates, Inc., argue that the Obama administration’s recent moves to provide reparations to Holocaust survivors, Americans held hostage in Iran in 1979, and the president’s urging and role with Japan and South Korea’s reconciliation with regard to their long-standing WWII comfort women issue have negated the concern of certain member of Congress who have said that providing  reparations to Guam would set a precedent for other groups to follow.

“So if the concern is precedence setting, it's already been done,” said Senator Jim Espaldon.

The initial directors of the organization are Senator Blas, Senator Espaldon, former Governor Ada, former Speaker San Agustin, Vice Speaker Cruz, Senator Muna Barnes, and former Assistant Secretary Babauta. The attorneys representing the group in the impending suit are Washington, D.C.-based Attorneys Mauricio J. Tamargo, Jason Poblete, and Jeremy G. Ibrahim. The suit will be filed in Washington, D.C., and all court costs, attorneys fees and all other related expenses will be privately funded through donations and fundraising events.

“Guam’s Man’amko endured the greatest suffering during our island’s occupation by Japanese forces in World War II,” said Former Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta. “Their painful stories are remembered by their families and our people just as much as our island remembers that they were never made whole by the United States as others were after World War II.”

Praying for Guam's unresolved issues: Grassroots organization speaks out against buildup

Praying for Guam's unresolved issues: Grassroots organization speaks out against buildup

By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • January 11, 2010


A handful of manamko sat facing the setting sun, a wooden cross draped in red and white cloth standing in the sand before them.

They were gathered at the shrine and beach of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores and Blessed Pedro Cologsod to honor Guam's conquered past and to stand up for Guam's future, according to Jonathan Diaz, a member of the The Coalition of Peace and Justice of Guam.

The candlelight vigil, rosary and prayer ceremony were sponsored by the grassroots organization, with the intent to pray for world peace, Guam war reparations, the political self-determination of the Chamorro people and the reunification of the Mariana Islands, said Diaz.

It's because these issues remain unresolved that Diaz said the coalition is skeptical whether the buildup will be carried out in the community-friendly manner that has been assured by the Defense Department. Other federal actions that they were supposed to follow through have fallen through instead, he said.

"We need to work for peace, we need to work for justice, we need to save people from making the mistakes of the past," he said.

"It's about bringing 80,000 people here without having these things addressed," Diaz said, in reference to the the pending issues of war reparations, Chamorro self-determination and the reunification of the Mariana Islands.

'It's hypocrisy'

"You can't bring 80,000 new people here. It's hypocrisy," he said. "You say you're going to promise to do things, and you don't," he said.

Diaz said his coalition's members have read the draft Environmental Impact Statement and they will go to the public hearings to speak out against the buildup.

"A majority of the people are saying no to this. I hope President Obama as well as the Department of Defense understand the people's position that you can't do that," Diaz said.

The issue of war reparations continue to be discussed in Congressional hearings. In regards to draft EIS report, the public has the opportunity to comment on the buildup plans in ongoing community meetings.

War survivors’ quest for justice continues

War survivors’ quest for justice continues

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 01:46
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff

GUAM’S quest for recognition of the pain and suffering endured by Japanese Imperial Forces during their occupation in World War II recently suffered a setback by the United States Congress in their crafting of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act.

Although the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act did not survive the attempt to have it included as an amendment to the Defense bill, U.S. Senate leaders promised Guam’s representative to have hearings on the war claims bill and consider taking action on the measure before the end of 2009-2010 term.

These hearings are expected to begin in December. Since many of our manamko who suffered the atrocities of war have since passed away or are infirmed, there are ongoing discussions to have them appear before the committee via teleconference in the District Court of Guam's courtroom.

In December 2003, survivors of the war told their stories to the Federal War Claims Commission during a series of hearings held on Guam. They gave their accounts of the brutality, the anguish, the degradation, the sufferings, and the fears that they had to endure.

They gave eye witness testimonies of the lashings, the beatings, and the beheadings of their loved ones and friends. In those hearings, those who testified also expressed their hope that their nation will finally acknowledge what they went through and give them the recognition they so rightfully deserve.

Although there has been the promise of the opportunity to address the war claims issue over the next year, many of the remaining survivors are well within their golden years and traveling to Washington, DC to testify once again may be too difficult.

Because of this, the decision makers in Congress have been asked to seriously consider holding any hearings on this matter on Guam, and because of the midterm elections that will be occurring across the United States late next year, it was further requested that the hearings be conducted before March 2010.

Unfortunately, there are also those who testified in 2003 who have since passed away. It is for those individuals who have died while waiting for their recognition and for our elderly who will find it impossible to travel almost 9,000 miles away that Sen. Frank Blas Jr.'s office will present a weekly series entitled, “Real People, Real Stories.”

Once every week, the testimonies of those individuals who appeared before the War Claims Commission in 2003. Although transcripts of the hearings are open to the public, we will get the permission of the survivors, or that of their heirs, to provide their testimonies in this series. If the survivors or their heirs wish, we will also include their sentiments of the waiting they continue to endure.

Bond Sale Closed by June 17

Bond sale closed by June 17
Tuesday, 09 June 2009
by Therese Hart
Marianas Variety News Staff

THE sale of government of Guam bonds will be finalized by June 17 and the money will be in the government account the next day, according to Tony Blaz, administrator of the Guam Economic Development Authority, who just returned from New York after successfully marketing the landfill and general obligation bonds.

“I’m happy that the landfill bond sold, but I’m also happy that our manamko will finally receive their COLA money. They’ve waited so long for this and when they pass on without seeing that money, it’s a sad day. We have to remember that they built this government through their hard work and dedication,” said Blaz.

The government of Guam successfully sold $473.5 million of triple tax-exempt bonds in the municipal market last week in New York—historic bond sales—which marked two of the first large high-yield transactions since the global financial fallout of the municipal market in fall of last year.

The two bond issues included $270 million of general obligation bonds, rated “B+,” and $202.4 million limited obligation Section 30-backed bonds, rated “BBB-.”

The successful issuance of the $270 million debt service bonds will pay for overdue tax refunds, a court-ordered cost of living allowance and other government debts.

The $202.4 million Section 30 bonds will pay for the construction of the new landfill as well as the closure of the Ordot dump.

“These people did their part. I know many people have said, hey, we don’t need to take care of them. But these people helped build the government of Guam and we have to be grateful,” Blaz said, referring to the government retirees who are owed their COLA.

Blaz acknowledged that it was a long standing obligation that should have been addressed decades ago. “But we didn’t. And today, we delivered for the people of Guam. This governor made it happen,” he said.

Overwhelming investor interest led to adjusted bond yields downward on both transactions, saving over $100 million in debt service on the general obligation bonds and over $56 million in debt service on the Section 30 bonds, compared to estimates a few weeks, according to a Guam Economic Development Authority press release.

The final yields ranged from 6.20 percent to 7.18 percent for the general obligation bonds and 3.95 percent to 6 percent for the Section 30 bonds.

“This was well below the interest rates that the government anticipated even a few weeks ago, and below the interest rate caps set by the authorizing legislation,” said Blaz.