*Beltran's transfer to hospital expected tomorrow, April 24

Ka Bel supporters await go signal from court

Anakpawis Congressman Crispin Beltran is expected to be transferred to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) anytime this week as the Makati Regional Trial Court (MRTC) is set to give the go signal to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the illegally-detained solon's temporary release from Camp Crame.

On April 17, Judge Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino of the MRTC Branch 137 approved Congressman Beltran's transfer to a hospital of his choice. In consideration of Beltran's various cardiovascular diseases, lawyers filed their request the following day for Beltran's transfer to the PHC along East Avenue in Quezon City.

Beltran's lawyers from the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) have received notice that the order for transfer is already lodged at the MRTC Branch 137 since last Friday.

It is yet to be signed, though, by Branch 137 Judge Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino as she was reportedly ill late last week and was unable to go to the MRTC.

This request is expected to be approved hopefully by tomorrow morning by Judge Delorino and forwarded to the PNP for implementation immediately after.

Meanwhile, Beltran's supporters from the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) will be holding a support gathering to await Beltran's transfer to the PHC tomorrow, April 24 (Monday), in front of Camp Crame, FKBM Spokesperson Dennis Maga said.

"The PNP need not raise its red alert. This will be a peaceful gathering and 'pagsalubong' of Ka Bel's supporters. We have long asserted that he be released from detention in Camp Crame on humanitarian grounds while the legal battle for his liberty and justice continues," Maga said.

Despite being 73 years old, Beltran was illegally arrested and jailed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) since February 25, 2006, on fabricated and malicious charges. This has contributed to the precarious deterioration of his health, necessitating his detention at the PNP General Hospital since March 2. ###