*MANIFESTO OF UNITY CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF CONG. CRISPIN BELTRAN AND A HALT TO POLITICAL REPRESSION

We hereby unite in defense of Anakpawis Partylist (Toiling Masses Party) Representative Crispin B. Beltran.

We condemn the illegal arrest and inhumane detention of Cong. Beltran by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last February 25, 2006, a day after the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 1017 declaring a state of emergency. We deplore how Cong. Beltran and company were accosted without an arrest warrant by elements of the CIDG, forcibly brought to Camp Crame for interrogation, and detained on false and null charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion.

We deplore how Cong. Beltran was treacherously taken from his cell by the police on February 27 on the pretext of being given medical attention, and was subjected to an inquest on new charges of rebellion--an incident condemned as "an act of political harassment" by no less than international human rights lawyer Atty. Romeo T. Capulong. We deplore how Cong. Beltran has remained in detention under police custody up to this very moment, despite the release order issued by the Quezon City Metropoltian Trial Court last March 13, 2006.

We express deep concerns for Cong. Beltran's well-being and health. Cong. Beltran is 73 years old, recovering from a mild stroke, and is taking maintenance medicine for hypertension and diabetes. Several days after his unjust incarceration, Cong. Beltran was rushed to the PNP General Hospital for unstable blood pressure levels and remains there to date. In the PNP General Hospital, Cong. Beltran is being served with inappropriate and unhealthy food which can worsen his health condition. This is contrary to the press statements of the PNP Director-General Arturo Lomibao that Cong. Beltran is well-taken care of as a “VIP”. These infuriating circumstances have considerably contributed to the deterioration of his health, something which this veteran labor leader does not deserve. We stand united in the belief that the best way to restore and stabilize his health is by immediately transferring him to a hospital where he can be attended upon by his personal doctors, and dropping the false and malicious charges filed against him.

Only dictatorships detain parliamentarians the way the PNP has detained Cong. Beltran. His continuing incarceration is not only unforgivably inhumane and blatantly unconstitutional; it is also a despicable act of political repression that deserves the condemnation of the entire Filipino people and the international community. We condemn this brazen violation of the right to due process under the law and the treacherous connivance between public officials involved in Cong. Beltran's arrest and detention.

We demand nothing less than Cong. Beltran's immediate and unconditional release from unjust detention in Camp Crame. The dismissal of the inciting to sedition case filed against Cong. Beltran only strengthens the grounds to drop the false, null, repressive and malicious charge of rebellion filed against him by the PNP and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

We condemn the issuance Presidential Proclamation 1017 last February 24, 2006, which served as an implementing order to this intensified spate of ruthless political repression against civilians and public officials critical of the Arroyo administration. The issuance of PP1017 is unfounded and unconstitutional. The “paper-lifting” of PP1017 last March 3, 2006 is not enough for it does not guarantee an end to warrantless arrests and political harassments. We demand the government to withdraw all illegal and unfounded charges to all victims of political repressions, and scrap General Order No. 5 which legalizes warrantless arrests.

We also deplore the rabid campaign of political repression against progressive solons such as Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador, and Teddy Casino, leaders and supporters of progressive organizations, the Filipino mass media, and ordinary citizens. It is deeply tragic how human rights violations and violations of civil and political rights have persisted and reached alarming levels in contemporary Philippine society. These acts of political repression must be duly condemned and the perpetrators held accountable.

We call on the Filipino people and the international community to stand in favor of basic civil and political rights.

RELEASE CONG. CRISPIN “KA BEL” BELTRAN NOW!

SUPPORT THE END OF POLITICAL REPRESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES AND ELSEWHERE

IN THE WORLD WHERE INJUSTICE AND TYRANNY REIGNS!

NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW!

CONVENORS:
1. Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona
2. Senator Jamby Madrigal
3. Rep. Roseller Barinaga
4. Rep. Edcel Lagman Sr.
5. Dr. Edberto Villegas, UP Manila
6. Dir. Joel Lamangan, dgpi
7. Fr. Joe Dizon, Kairos
8. Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, National Coalition for The Protection of Workers' Rights (NCPWR)
9. Mr. Elmer Labog, Kilusang Mayo Uno
10. Atty. Remigio Saladero, Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center (PLACE)
11. Ms Cherry Clemente, Anakpawis
12. Ms Daisy Arago, Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR)
13. Mr. Donato Continente, SELDA
14. Ms. Connie Regalado, MIGRANTE
15. Mr. Ferdie Gaite, COURAGE
16. Mr.Dennis Maga, FKBM Spokesperson
17. Prof. Doroteo Abaya, UP Manila
18. Gat Inciong, MCCCL
19. Nanay Carmen Deunida, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY)
20. Ms. Lengua De Guzman, Idol Ko si Ka Bel
21. Mr. Juan Paolo Alfonso, UP-Diliman University Student Council
22. Mr. Paul Quintos, Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER)
23. Prof. Roland Simbulan, UP Faculty Regent