Anakbayan Los Angeles and San Diego Pay Tribute to Crispin Beltran

Anakbayan Los Angeles and San Diego Pay Tribute to Crispin Beltran

May 20, 2008

Anakbayan Los Angeles and San Diego mourn with Filipinos across the globe the unfortunate death of beloved labor leader Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran. Ka Bel was an exemplary model to youth and students of the true fighting spirit, a tireless soul who never stopped working for the liberation of his people even until his death at the age of 75. Anakbayan San Diego and Los Angeles pay our utmost respect to Ka Bel and salutes his life devoted to truly serving the people.

As a trade unionist he fought alongside the manggagawa (workers) as the chairperson of the militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in the 80’s, the chairperson of BAYAN Philippines in the 90’s, the first chairperson of International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS), and more recently as a representative of the party list representing workers – Anakpawis.

A political prisoner of the Marcos dictatorship, congressperson Ka Bel was placed under hospital arrest just two years ago when the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo regime declared a “state of emergency” placing the country under virtual martial law. Even from his hospital bed, he continued adamantly to expose the government’s imposition of state terror and to fight the outrageous false charges placed against him and fellow progressive colleagues of the House known as the Batasan 6.

Ka Bel died Tuesday, May 20th, after sustaining massive head injuries caused by falling from his house’s rooftop while making household repairs.

Anakbayan Los Angeles and San Diego send our condolences to the Beltran family, Anakpawis partylist, KMU, BAYAN, ILPS, and friends of our dear kasama, and vows to carry on the legacy of Ka Bel and all workers towards the eradication of exploitation and oppression of the Filipino people in the Philippines, the US and throughout the world.

For a special slideshow tribute to Ka Bel, please visit myspace.com/anakbayanla.

To check out Anakbayan San Diego, go to myspace.com/anakbayansd