Militants mark birth anniversary of 'Ka Bel'
01/07/2009 | 04:10 PM
MANILA, Philippines — Militant workers on Wednesday promised to continue the fight of the late Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran to uphold workers' rights as they marked his 76th birth anniversary.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said Beltran, who it likened to a modern-day Andres Bonifacio, will live on in the hearts of the masses who he served.
"Buhay na buhay pa rin ang mga alalaala, adhikain, at laban ni Ka Bel na walang ibang hangad kundi ang katarungan at kagalingan para sa mga mangagagawa at maralita (His memories, ideals and advocacies to give justice to the workers and the poor will remain alive)," KMU chairman Elmer Labog said on the KMU website (www.kilusangmayouno.org).
He said that unlike many other members of the House of Representatives, Beltran had lived a simple life, such that he cleaned his own house.
Labog said Beltran lived frugally and did not live on bribes. Neither did he engage in abusive behavior, he added.
He urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and their lackeys to learn from Beltran's honest ways, while agrarian reform secretary Nasser Pangandaman should learn from Beltran's non-abusive ways.
"Kitang-kita natin kung gaano ka-walang hiya ang mga naglilingkod dapat sa atin sa pamahalaan. Kaya lalo tayong dapat lumaban at kumilos para ang mga kagawiang tulad ng kay Ka Bel ang manaig sa sistema ng ating lipunan (We have seen how shameless the supposed servants of the public are under this administration. We must fight to have people with Beltran's qualities lead our people)," he said.
Beltran died on May 20 last year after falling from the roof of his Bulacan home, which he had been repairing.
On February 25, 2006, Beltran was among militant lawmakers arrested shortly after President Arroyo declared a state of emergency.
Beltran was charged with inciting to sedition and implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of Arroyo.
He remained in detention until June 2007, when the Supreme Court voided the charges against Beltran and several other leaders affiliated with leftist groups. - GMANews.TV
The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said Beltran, who it likened to a modern-day Andres Bonifacio, will live on in the hearts of the masses who he served.
"Buhay na buhay pa rin ang mga alalaala, adhikain, at laban ni Ka Bel na walang ibang hangad kundi ang katarungan at kagalingan para sa mga mangagagawa at maralita (His memories, ideals and advocacies to give justice to the workers and the poor will remain alive)," KMU chairman Elmer Labog said on the KMU website (www.kilusangmayouno.org).
He said that unlike many other members of the House of Representatives, Beltran had lived a simple life, such that he cleaned his own house.
Labog said Beltran lived frugally and did not live on bribes. Neither did he engage in abusive behavior, he added.
He urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and their lackeys to learn from Beltran's honest ways, while agrarian reform secretary Nasser Pangandaman should learn from Beltran's non-abusive ways.
"Kitang-kita natin kung gaano ka-walang hiya ang mga naglilingkod dapat sa atin sa pamahalaan. Kaya lalo tayong dapat lumaban at kumilos para ang mga kagawiang tulad ng kay Ka Bel ang manaig sa sistema ng ating lipunan (We have seen how shameless the supposed servants of the public are under this administration. We must fight to have people with Beltran's qualities lead our people)," he said.
Beltran died on May 20 last year after falling from the roof of his Bulacan home, which he had been repairing.
On February 25, 2006, Beltran was among militant lawmakers arrested shortly after President Arroyo declared a state of emergency.
Beltran was charged with inciting to sedition and implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of Arroyo.
He remained in detention until June 2007, when the Supreme Court voided the charges against Beltran and several other leaders affiliated with leftist groups. - GMANews.TV
