FRS urges for the release of Philippine lawmaker jailed on rebellion charges

The Filipino Resource Center in Norway calls for the immediate release of Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) party Congressman Crispin ?Ka Bel? Beltran jailed by the Philippine government under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since February.

Beltran was arrested, without a warrant, in February on charges of rebellion under an emergency rule declared to allegedly squash a coup attempt against the increasing unpopular government.

To date, the Arroyo government has turned down domestic and international calls from parliamentarians, union leaders, artists and academic personalities for the release of the lawmaker and union leader on humanitarian grounds. At 73 years old, Beltran is confined at the Philippine National Police hospital and is suffering high blood pressure levels and complains of nightmares that he said reminds him of the torture he suffered while under detention during the Marcos dictatorship. The government has also refused to heed the request of his family to allow the transfer of the ailing lawmaker to a proper hospital for better medical care.

Aside from Beltran, five other lawmakers, collectively known as Batasan 5, representing grassroots parties, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela are holed up in the halls of Congress to defy the attempts of the government to arrest them if they step out of the building.

The lawmakers and a number of other opposition leaders and activists in the Philippines are included in list of persons that the government wants arrested for their alleged part in a coup attempt against it early this year. Critics however believe that the list is part of the effort of the government to silence and intimidate the growing movement in calling for the resignation of President Arroyo who is facing charges of electoral fraud and corruption.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations in the Philippines decry the continuing series of assassinations and abductions of activists in the country by suspected military death squads since 2005 and the crackdown on opposition leaders in the country.

Release Beltran!
Defend human rights!
Struggle against creeping dictatorship in the Philippines!

Filipino Resource Center
April 18, 2005

Go to The Filipino Resource Center in Norway to give your support

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