Foreign labor advocates help assert Rep. Beltran’s release; joins International Forum for Ka Bel's freedom

“We have all the reasons to demand the release of Ka Bel. For the past fifteen months, the Arroyo government illegally detained Ka Bel and refused to grant his freedom despite constant confirmations of his innocence in the cases which was maliciously charged against him by the Department of Justice,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

“The international support for Ka Bel’s release is overwhelming. Almost every day we receive solidarity messages and letters of support from many labor organizations abroad. Even the local campaign for the release of Ka Bel stepped up. Major regions formed local Free Ka Bel Movement formations to spearhead activities and forge alliances with various social sectors and local government officials. Only a callous government like Arroyo's will neglect the repeated demands of various international bodies asserting for Ka Bel’s liberty,” the labor leader added.

Labog said that protest actions demanding for Ka Bel’s release have been conducted in Hongkong, Japan, Denmark, The Netherlands, London, South Korea, U.S., Austria, Canada, Australia and other countries. “We launched an online petition for Ka Bel’s release and we are happy to announce that thousands already signed the petition. Many of our allies abroad are also sending protest letters addressed to Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales.”

Stop election related violence

KMU also asked international delegates in the forum to demand the Arroyo government to put a stop to the election related violence. As of today, almost 50 local candidates and supporters were killed in the course of the electoral campaign. Many more members and supporters of progressive party list groups are being killed, abducted and harassed in the provinces. “The national and local elections this year will be marked as one of the bloodiest elections in Philippine history. We have eight more days to go before May 14 and the incidents of violence could further step up if the government will not do something drastic about it.”

Labog said KMU is all set for the elections, in support for Anakpawis Party List. “We are conducting daily campaigns all over Metro Manila. KMU regional chapters are also working double time for the last stretch of the campaign. We need to strengthen the workers’ voice in Congress especially now that Ka Bel is still detained.”

KMU official and labor leader Joel Maglunsod is one of Anakpawis’ nominees who will represent the labor sector.