Kilusang Mayo Uno

pinilak ang pakikibaka ng mga manggagawa sa pangunguna ng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)

You can now visit us at www.kilusangmayouno.org
Long live the workers! Defend civil liberties! Free Ka Bel!

posted by: KMU at 11:50 | link | comments (2) |

Candle for Democracy

The KMU launched Candle for Democracy. Despite the lifting of Proclamation No. 1017, KMU Emeritus and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran
remains in detention. Every 6pm, let us continue to light candles outside our offices and houses to protest yet another veiled martial law -
a silent attack against critics of this government's anti-people and anti-worker policies.





WE appeal for the immediate release of Ka Bel for humanitarian reasons. He was illegally
arrested and detained without probable cause.  Now, he is charged with rebellion. But then,
is it rebellion for Ka Bel to advance the democratic rights and interests of workers and the
toiling masses on the streets and inside the Congress?

Bakit Tumaas ang Presyon ng Dugo ni Ka Bel

"Nananawagan ako sa mamamayang Pilipino na labanan ang pahirap  na diktadurya  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."

- Rep. Crispin Beltran,

bago siya ipasok sa Camp Crame

para sa inquest ng kasong rebelyon.

Si Ka Bel,

kilala ng marami - lalo na

ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka't

mga maralitang taga-lungsod -

ay walang habas na dinakip

at ipiniit sa paratang na

nagpapasiklab ng rebolusyon.

(Sa utos ng Presidenteng baligtad

ang pagkakilala sa kalayaan at demokrasya).

Sa pinakahuling balita,

tumaas daw ang presyon ng dugo ni Ka Bel,

hindi sa sindak o ligalig -

(sa pitumpung taon nang walang lubay

na pakikibaka'y tinakasan na yata siya ng takot)

kundi sa galit:

kasalanan ba ang ipaglaban

ang karapatan sa makatwirang sahod?

Ang paglaban para sa mga nagbubungkal ng lupa

at pagtutol sa demolisyon?

Ay! Palalong pinuno.

Sagot sa kahirapa'y buwis

sa hinaing ay bala

at sinumang maghayag ng katotohanan

ay walang salang bubusalan sa bibig.

Ano'ng kabalintunaan?
Ikinukulong ang nagtatanggol sa mamamayan.

At pinapaslang ang humihiyaw ng katarungan.

Sa loob ng piitan

si Ka Bel ay nagngingitngit,

hindi pinanghihinaan ng loob.

Igapos o ikulong man,

walang magawa ang Estado

sa patuloy na pagtakas

ng kanyang galit

sa mga taong sanhi ng pagkaduhagi

ng minamahal niyang kauri.

Soliman Agulto Santos

3 Marso 2006

posted by: KMU at 10:23 | link | comments (1) |

NEWS RELEASE

March 3, 2006

No stopping fight vs dictatorship of Arroyo

PP 1017 too hot to handle – KMU

“Vigilance must be maintained”.  This was the advice of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) as Arroyo withdrew PP 1017 this morning.  “The revocation was done merely in words not in deeds.  The attack on people’s rights will continue to intensify.”

According to Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU, “The rescinding of PP 1017 shall be used as a veil to obfuscate the intensifying suppression of the people’s democratic, civil and political rights.  By labeling the dissenters as ‘destabilizers’, it’s a go signal for attack.  Even though Arroyo declared the revocation of PP 1017, warrantless arrest and summary executions of activists remains.” 

Labog said Arroyo’s lifting of the State of National Emergency was done because “it was too hot to handle” as militants, media, lawyers, lawmakers and the rest of the nation bonded versus the Marcosian tactics.

Labog noted the report on DZMM that Arroyo use funds of the GSIS to infuse money on the stock market to make it bullish and create a positive outlook of the market on the PP 1017.  “Another clear manipulation to perpetuate her stay in the Palace,” said Labog.

The Department of Justice made it clear that crackdown on political opposition will continue, as Rep. Crispin Beltran remained in detention on trumped up charges of rebellion and inciting to sedition.  “How can service to the people, as exemplified by KMU Chairman Emeritus Ka Bel, and recognized by Congress by making him Congressman of the year for four consecutive years, be labeled as rebellious,” opined Labog.

One-party rule in the making

Meanwhile, Labog noted the start of a one-party rule under Arroyo.  “Atienza’s coup on the Liberal Party was clearly orchestrated by Arroyo and Mike Defensor.  Arroyo’s wants to maintain her grip on power by attacking the political parties opposed to her.  Arroyo’s is already consolidating power as election season is in the air,” said Labog.

Labog said that Arroyo will do everything to remain seated in Malacañang.  “Like a rabid dog, she will attack anyone who will express dissent to her rule.  Even Ka Bel who is already 73 years old and suffering from hypertension will not be spared,” stated Labog.

Yesterday, Ka Bel was rushed to the hospital due to hypertension, affirming the fear of the family and supporters of the Anakpawis Partylist Representative.  “We are reiterating our demand that Ka Bel be removed from Camp Crame and be brought to the Philippine Heart Center before his medical condition becomes even worse,” ended Labog. ###

posted by: KMU at 04:14 | link | comments |