"Arroyo can set example for Burma government by releasing Rep. Crispin Beltran"

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo need not look far if really she's inclined to demand the release of political prisoners.

"Arroyo can show Burma the way to democracy by releasing Ka Bel as soon as possible and taking on responsibility for the continuing politically-motivated killings, harassment and persecution of government critics," KMU Deputy Secretary General Wilson Baldonaza said as the labor group challenged Arroyo to give actions to her words.

"We highly doubt the sincerity of Arroyo's statements. It's either she's putting on a show to impress other ASEAN leaders or she's suffering from a bad case of selective memory loss. In case Arroyo has forgotten, Ka Bel's illegal detention happened after she declared PP 1017 last year. To further refresh her memory, the number of activists and progressive leaders killed under her term now counts to almost 800 victims," Baldonaza said.

"If she is sincere in her appeal for the release of detained Burmese democracy and freedom advocate Aung San Suu Kyi, then we also expect her to show even the slightest compassion towards Rep. Crispin Beltran and release the detained Anakpawis representative. If she will not consider releasing the 74-year old solon and veteran labor leader even for humanitarian reasons, then she will further shame herself by exposing her pro-democracy pronouncements as mere propaganda."