Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9396)
The main objective of Republic Act No. 9396 is to redefine the term "veteran," thereby amending Republic Act No. 6948, as amended, to update and clarify who qualifies as a veteran under Philippine law.
RA 9396 defines a veteran as any person who (1) rendered military service in the land, sea or air forces of the Philippines during the revolution against Spain, the Philippine-American War, and World War II including Filipino citizens who served with the allied forces; (2) was a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces sent to the Korean War and the Philippine Civic Action Group to the Vietnam War; or (3) rendered military service in the AFP and was honorably discharged or retired after at least twenty years of active service or separated earlier due to death or disability from wounds or sickness incurred in the line of duty.
The definition applies to those who served in the revolution against Spain, the Philippine-American War, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as specified by the Philippine Expeditionary Forces and the Philippine Civic Action Group.
Yes, Section 2 of RA 9396 states that the Act applies to those persons who are going to enter military service after its effectivity.
AFP personnel must have at least twenty (20) years total cumulative active service and must have been honorably discharged or retired to qualify as veterans, except for those separated earlier due to death or disability arising from wounds or sickness incurred in the line of duty.
Yes, Filipino citizens who served with the allied forces in Philippine territory during World War II are considered veterans under this Act.
All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and memoranda inconsistent with RA 9396 are repealed or modified accordingly as per Section 4 of the Act.
RA 9396 took effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two national newspapers of general circulation.
Yes, persons who were separated from active AFP service due to death or disability arising from wounds, injury, sickness, or disease incurred in the line of duty are considered veterans under this Act.