MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Thursday mobilized his department's Board of Claims to provide financial help to victims of violence perpetrated by elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao (MILF) in past weeks.
Radio dzBB's Teresa Tavares reported Thursday afternoon that Gonzalez instructed the board to "prioritize" the victims and the families of fatalities in the attacks by the MILF on North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and nearby areas.
Under Republic Act 7309 creating the Board of Claims in 1992, any person who is a victim of violent crimes is entitled to receive financial help.
"For purposes of this Act, violent crimes shall include rape and shall likewise refer to offenses committed with malice which resulted in death or serious physical and/or psychological injuries, permanent incapacity or disability, insanity, abortion, serious trauma, or committed with torture, cruelly or barbarity," reads Section 3(d) of the law.
However, Section 4 of the same law has an "Award Ceiling" or maximum amount of P10,000, or "the amount necessary to reimburse the claimant the expenses incurred for hospitalization, medical treatment, loss of wage, loss of support or other expenses directly related to injury,
whichever is lower. This is without prejudice to the right of the claimant to seek other remedies under existing laws."
Under the same law, annual funding shall also partly come from one percent of the net income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and one percent of the proceeds and sales and other disposition and military camps in Metro Manila by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. - GMANews.TV