Illegal arrest and detention for more than a year

Militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) blamed the Macapagal-Arroyo government for causing Crispin 'Ka Bel' Beltran's rapid health decline that resulted to his accident yesterday morning. Arroyo illegally detained Ka Bel for more than a year.

KMU Chairperson Elmer 'Ka Bong' Labog said it cannot be denied that the arrest and detention of Ka Bel at Camp Crame and Philippine Heart Center last 2006 due to fabricated cases of rebellion was a cause for his physical deterioration.

"There is no forgiveness for what Arroyo has done to Ka Bel. The frailty of our Chairman Emeritus was brought about by the oppressiveness of her government. If KMU Founding Chairman Ka Bert Olalia died after being tortured in a bartolina at Camp Crame by the Marcos dicatatorship, the same happened to Ka Bel when he was illegally arrested and detained by the fascist US-Macapagal-Arroyo regime."

Labog also said that Malacañang's condolences are plain fake because the  truth is, it lost one of its staunchest critique and opponent.

Meanwhile, Labog called on all workers of KMU and other allies to participate in the tribute for Ka Bel at the Philippine Independent Church (PIC), Escoda corner Taft Avenue.

KMU organized a tribute for Ka Bel tonight at the PIC with the theme "Crispin 'Ka Bel' Beltran: Dakilang Lider Manggagawa at Magiting na Bayani ng Sambayanan."

Thousands of workers and supporters, with hundreds of KMU and Anakpawis flags, will welcome Ka Bel's remains from Mozon Bulacan at the PIC.###