Sunday, February 26, 2006

Free Crispin Beltran now!

February 26, 2006

FIGHT FOR CONG. CRISPIN BELTRAN's LIBERTY AND THE PEOPLE'S FREEDOM FROM THE ARROYO REGIME!

Free Crispin Beltran campaign to be launched

In jail, Rep. Beltran calls on Filipino people to continue struggle against Arroyo dictatorship

Shortly before his inquest at the Quezon City Hall of Justice last night and incarceration early this morning on trumped-up sedition charges, Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran slammed Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her harassment of civilians and legislators critical of her administration, calling on the Filipino toiling masses to continue the struggle againstss the Arroyo dictatorship.'

"This is outright harassment. Lumalabas na kinuha ang alleged at bogus warrant na hinapag ng CIDG ay kinuha sa warrant noon. Ang alam kong kopya ng warrant dati [ay na-issue] kay Felixberto Olalia, et. al, but that was in 1982, bago kami arestuhin noon nina Bert Olalia. Sa alleged warrant ngayon, ako lang ang tanging respondent," Beltran said in a telephone interview last night at around 10:30.

Beltran called on to Pres. Arroyo to withdraw Presidential Proclamation 1017 immediately. "Dapat i-withdraw niya ang PP 1017 sapagkat ito illegal at labag sa Saligang Batas. Ginagamit lamang ito para sa harassment ng oposisyon na tumututol sa pananatili ni Gng. Arroyo sa poder at upang kitilin nang tuluyan ang freedom of association and speech," Beltran said.

"Batas militar ang pinapairal ng rehimeng Arroyo sa deklarasyong 'state of emergency'. Ang PP 1017 ay nakahanay kasama ng suspension ng writ of habeas corpus. Ito ay maihahalintulad sa Martial Law "declaration na PD 1081 noong 1972," he added.

"Nananawagan ako sa mga kasama na magpatuloy ng gawain na isulong ang interes ng masang anakpawis, kasama ang manggagawa, magbubukid, maralitang tagalunsod, kabataan, at iba pa. Ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka para makamit ang tagumpay. Nananawagan ako sa mamamayang Pilipino na labanan ang pahirap na diktadurtya ni Gng. Arroyo. Ako ay nagsisikap na makalaya sa ilegal na pagkakakulong na ito, para makasama kayo sa mga laban sa loob at labas ng Kongreso," Beltran said.


Anakpawis is also preparing to launch a campaign calling for the immediate release of Rep. Beltran, the defense of civil liberties, and the people's freedom from the miseries of the Arroyo administration.


Meanwhile, Anakpawis officials are also growing increasingly concerned over Beltran's state of health while in detention. The 73-year old congressman has a history of high blood pressure and has suffered from a mild stroke late last year.

Beltran's last meal since the inquest was at around 10 pm last night. He has been taking medication for initial signs of high blood pressure since then.

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