5 to testify for Guam war reparations

by Mindy Aguon

Senators Frank Blas, Jr. and Ben Pangelinan and World War II occupation survivor Tom Barcinas are en route to the nation's capitol, where they will provide testimony to the House Armed Services Committee on War Reparations.  Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs Tony Babauta and Guam War Claims Commission Chairperson Mauricio Tamargo are also scheduled to testify during the hearing slated for Thursday (Guam time).

The Guam Chamber of Commerce assisted in getting Barcinas out to DC to testify.  Bordallo says the hearing, granted at her request, is part of an agreement in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act for additional hearings on the war claims issue.  While the House has already passed H.R. 44 (The World War Two Loyalty Recognition Act), it remains to be seen how hearings like this will sway Senate members.