Report of the German Filipino Friends on the Free Ka Bel protest in Dusseldorf

Freedom for Crispin Beltran and the militant opposition in the Philippines

With this challenge the GFF together with representatives of the Turkish organisation ATIK and others a first respectable protest action was started in front of the Philippine Consulate in Bonn. Folks passing by reacted mostly very positiveand supportive in the nearby free walking zone after initially being totally unaware of these 800 victims from the opposition in the Philippines and the rather arbitrary imprisonment of Crispin Beltran over a whole year.

Many said: “Of course our government cooperates with the Philippine government and does not publicize anything about the repression there.” We were even short of information material for distributen. Some 76 persons signed our protest note: We protest over the politically motivated killings and challenge the German Federal government to break of all relations with the Philippine government for the time being.

Delegates from GFF, ATIK, from the trade union of the public sector VER.DI and the MLPD addressed the audience before personly handing over to tho Philipine Consul Mr Auxilian a protest note signed by thirteen organisations. He had sent one of his aids to us protesting in
front of his window, inviting us into the embassy for the handover. We appreciate this invitation, as the Philippine Embassy in Berlin had not been prepared to receive delegates from VER.DI delivering a protest resolution despite having been asked to do so by fax, mail and telephone.

Mr Auxilian stressed that his government has installed some commission to investigate thse cases.

GFF received a similiar information on 22nd February from the Philippine Embassy in Berlin in answer to our protest letter in November 2006. Mr Auxilian also emphasized that open
critic blackens the worldwide image of the Philippine Governent. On account of this it would be necessary to deal with this critic and investigate and clarify these cases.

Before leaving the embassy we espressed our wish, that on account of his serious statement, we would hopefully soon hear in the news about Crispin Beltran’ release. At the moment the Philippine Government is under pressure as at this weekend the UN embassador in Manila has requested the government to give an answer about these political killings. There will also be protest rallies ofthe trade unions all over the country calling for the release of Crispin Beltran on 26th February. There will be even such protest actions worldwide an the anniversary of his detension.

Our rally today has been a good beginning. By offering coffeee, Tea and Boerek it was even possible to finance the expenses of our action. Our turkish friends of the New Democratic Youth gave with their live music our action special flair. And the personal letter from Crispin
Beltran from prison hospital, sent to us for this special occasion emphasized that:

International solidarity worldwide is taking heed!

Duesseldorf 23rd February 2007