Press Release No.027-03
22 January 2003

"LATE CLAIM" FILING OF FILIPINO GULF WAR VICTIMS

The Philippine Claims and Compensation Committee Secretariat conducted registration of names for Filipino Gulf war victims who were not able to file their respective claims during the filing period set by the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC).  The registration was conducted from May 2002 to 23 September 2002 to enable the Philippine Government to provide statistical analysis to the United Nations on the issue of claims filed late.

During the forty-sixth session of the United Nations Compensation Commission Governing council held on 10 to 12 December 2002 in Geneva, the Council decided to refer the Philippine  Government’s request on late claim filing to a sub-committee for further consideration with a view towards receiving further information on the financial implications required to process “late claims” refer to individuals and entities who were in Kuwait and Iraq from 02 August 1990 to 02 March 1991 and were not able to file before the 01 January 1996 deadline set by the UNCC.  In light of this decision, the PCCCS is exploring all possible avenues, processes and remedies where the merits of the Philippine request will be considered and approved at the soonest possible time.