News Release December 14, 2006
The spokesperson of the Free Ka Bel Movement Dennis Maga today said that Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Benjamin Pozon should be the one to handle the case of detained solon and veteran labor leader Anakpawis Representative Crispin B. Beltran.
"It could well be that if it was Judge Pozon' sala Ka Bel's case landed in, Ka Bel would've been freed long before. Judge Pozon appears like a man of integrity and a genuine sense of justice. Neither is he afraid to stand up against Malacanang in defense of what he believes to be right. Here's a man who has an independent mind, a sense of patriotism, and a working conscience," Maga said.
Maga said that Ka Bel has been detained since February 26, 2006 on impossible-to-prove and substantiate charges of rebellion and collusion with disgruntled members of the military to remove Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from office.
"It's been almost ten months since the arroyo government had Ka Bel arrested, and since then it has failed to prove the charges against him. Hardly surprising since the charges are all fabricated," he said.
"We decry the slowness of the court proceedings and the unfairness of Makati Judge Elmo Alameda. We seek the indulgence of the Supreme Court and approve our petition for certiorari. The Beltran's lawyers are urging the High Court to set aside the Orders dated May 31, 2006 issued by Makati RTC Judge Encarnacion Jaja G. Moya and the Order dated August 29, 2006 issued by Judge Elmo M. Almeda which denies Beltran's Motion for Reconsideration. They also seek the High Court's intervention by having it enjoin respondents Judge Alameda and Sec. Gonzalez, from proceeding with the hearing on the rebellion case.
His lawyers led by Atty. Romeo Capulong said that the Supreme Court is respectfully being petitioned to impose a special civil action for Certiorari and Prohibition under Sections 1 and 2 of Rule 65 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.
"We seek the SC's support and ask it to order the setting aside and annulment of the May 31, 2006 Order issued by Judge Encarnacion Moya which finds probable cause against Ka Bel for the crime of rebellion; and the setting aside and annulment of the August 29, 2006 order by Judge Alameda, denying Ka Bel's Motion for Reconsideration of the May 31, 2006 order," said Maga.
Sec. Gonzalez is in charge of the prosecution against Rep. Beltran. Judge Moya is the presiding judge of RTC Makati, Branch 146 Judge Alameda is the presiding judge of RTC Makati, Branch 150.
Maga said that as they have been consistently arguing since February when Rep. Beltran was first arrested, there are no records to show that he was 'lawfully arrested.' "Ka Bel was not arrested for rebellion but for the alleged charge of inciting to sedition, in gross violation of his constitutional privilege of immunity from arrest; none of the 'arresting' officers had any 'personal knowledge' of facts indicating that petitioner attended a meeting on February 20, 2006 with 1Lt. San Juan and form a tactical alliance to overthrow the government."#
Friday, December 15, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister expresses support for Ka Bel's case; says Canadian government involved in keeping Human Rights a priority in the Phi
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter G, MacKay stated that his government is well aware of the developments in the human rights situation in the Philippines, including the case of detained Anakpawis Representative Crispin B. Beltran.
Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) spokesperson Dennis Maga said that the Canadian official sent Anakpawis and FKBM a letter dated September 25, 2006.
"I share your concerns about the uncertain political environment in the Philippines and the arrest of Congressman Beltran as well as others. The Government of Canada, through our Embassy in Manila, is in close and regular contact with many of the organizations that have been targeted in the recent increase in violence against several organizations, including Anakpawis," MacKay say.
The Canadian Foreign Affairs minister said that When Canadian officials meet with their Philippine counterparts, "We urge them to fully respect international human rights commitments such as the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Philippines is a party. Our Embassy also continues to coordinate with a wide variety of partners, including non-governmental organizations,
civil society, other embassies and international organizations, and Philippine human rights officials to improve the situation in the country. The Philippines Justice Reform Initiatives Support Project, Local Government Support Project and McLuhan Prize for Investigative Journalism are only some of the ways in which Canada is involved to keep human rights as priority in the Philippines," he said.
"I can assure you that the Canadian government will continue to monitor human rights in the Philippines and will follow closely the developments of the Beltran case."
Maga said that the FKBM and Anakpawis Party-list continue to receive messages of support for Ka Bel and reassurances that they – foreign officials, church leaders and concerned citizens—are doing their share in campaigning for Ka Bel's release.
"We continue to reach out to as many groups and individuals as possible to unite and rally them behind the cause of Ka Bel's release. It's been nine months, but the Macapagal-Arroyo administration remains stubborn in its refusal to release Ka Bel despite the truth that it doesn't have any real case against him. It's already an international embarrassment that at this day and age when the Philippines is supposedly a country with democratic processes, a well-respected and renowned labor leader and people's legislator such as Ka Bel is being persecuted and made into a political detainee. This all the more focuses the spotlight on the Arroyo government's worsening tendencies of dictatorship," he concluded.#
Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) spokesperson Dennis Maga said that the Canadian official sent Anakpawis and FKBM a letter dated September 25, 2006.
"I share your concerns about the uncertain political environment in the Philippines and the arrest of Congressman Beltran as well as others. The Government of Canada, through our Embassy in Manila, is in close and regular contact with many of the organizations that have been targeted in the recent increase in violence against several organizations, including Anakpawis," MacKay say.
The Canadian Foreign Affairs minister said that When Canadian officials meet with their Philippine counterparts, "We urge them to fully respect international human rights commitments such as the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Philippines is a party. Our Embassy also continues to coordinate with a wide variety of partners, including non-governmental organizations,
civil society, other embassies and international organizations, and Philippine human rights officials to improve the situation in the country. The Philippines Justice Reform Initiatives Support Project, Local Government Support Project and McLuhan Prize for Investigative Journalism are only some of the ways in which Canada is involved to keep human rights as priority in the Philippines," he said.
"I can assure you that the Canadian government will continue to monitor human rights in the Philippines and will follow closely the developments of the Beltran case."
Maga said that the FKBM and Anakpawis Party-list continue to receive messages of support for Ka Bel and reassurances that they – foreign officials, church leaders and concerned citizens—are doing their share in campaigning for Ka Bel's release.
"We continue to reach out to as many groups and individuals as possible to unite and rally them behind the cause of Ka Bel's release. It's been nine months, but the Macapagal-Arroyo administration remains stubborn in its refusal to release Ka Bel despite the truth that it doesn't have any real case against him. It's already an international embarrassment that at this day and age when the Philippines is supposedly a country with democratic processes, a well-respected and renowned labor leader and people's legislator such as Ka Bel is being persecuted and made into a political detainee. This all the more focuses the spotlight on the Arroyo government's worsening tendencies of dictatorship," he concluded.#
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
115th Assembly of the Interparliamentary Union approves resolution calling for Rep.Beltran’s immediate release
Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran extended his full gratitude to the international delegates and leadership of the 115th Assembly of the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) for unanimously approving the resolution calling for his immediate release. The IPU congress is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, and among the delegates are Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casino. Ocampo and Casino facilitated moves to circulate the resolution calling on the Macacpagal-Arroyo government to immediately release Beltran and the resolution garnered the support of the IPU delegates.
The IPU said it “Remains deeply concerned at the continuing detention of Mr. Beltran, which it fears is arbitrary; and calls once again on the authorities to release him forthwith or at the very least to transfer him to the custody of the House of Representatives.”
It also said it was “puzzled at the notion of a continuing crime, which entails serious consequences such as arrest without warrant.” The continuing crime doctrine is being invoked by the Philippine National Police and Department of Justice to justify the seven-month detention of Rep. Beltran.
“It feels most assuring and heartwarming to know that I have the support not only of my colleagues in the legislative houses here in the Philippines, but also the support of colleagues and fellow progressive lawmakers in other countries. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should realize that the campaign of political repression she launched against progressive lawmakers such as myself and other leaders of the opposition do not go unnoticed. The more she stubbornly insists on keeping me under illegal detention and under fabricated charges, the greater the pressure will be on her to resign: the international community has given its attention to what is happening in the Philippines, and they more than understand the demand for her to step down,” he said.
Beltran also thanked Reps. Ocampo and Casino for bringing the issue of his incarceration to the IPU.
The veteran labor leader turned activist legislator also said that for the meantime, he is seeking the full support of his colleagues in Congress and call on Speaker Jose de Venecia to allow his transfer from the Philippine Heart Center to the House of Representatives. He said that it was not so much his own physical limitations caused by age that is making his health deteriorate, ‘It’s actually being cooped up in the hospital under 24-7 monitoring of the CIDG and the Department of Justice. The tedium of being detained is what’s making my health condition worse, that and hearing about the continued attacks of the Macapagal-Arroyo government on the political, civil and human rights of the Filipino people,” he said.
Beltran said that he wants to be in Congress before session resumes in November. He said that it’s clear that the govenrment does not having concrete to substantiate its charges of rebellion against him, and that it’s only keeping him detained out of pique and refusal to admit that it was illegal to arrest him in the first place.
“The government has no case against me. I should be released at the soonest possible time; and I expect this government to stop fabricating more accusations and allegations against me and allow me to do my job as a legislator of the poor and marginalized sectors,” he concluded.#
The IPU said it “Remains deeply concerned at the continuing detention of Mr. Beltran, which it fears is arbitrary; and calls once again on the authorities to release him forthwith or at the very least to transfer him to the custody of the House of Representatives.”
It also said it was “puzzled at the notion of a continuing crime, which entails serious consequences such as arrest without warrant.” The continuing crime doctrine is being invoked by the Philippine National Police and Department of Justice to justify the seven-month detention of Rep. Beltran.
“It feels most assuring and heartwarming to know that I have the support not only of my colleagues in the legislative houses here in the Philippines, but also the support of colleagues and fellow progressive lawmakers in other countries. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should realize that the campaign of political repression she launched against progressive lawmakers such as myself and other leaders of the opposition do not go unnoticed. The more she stubbornly insists on keeping me under illegal detention and under fabricated charges, the greater the pressure will be on her to resign: the international community has given its attention to what is happening in the Philippines, and they more than understand the demand for her to step down,” he said.
Beltran also thanked Reps. Ocampo and Casino for bringing the issue of his incarceration to the IPU.
The veteran labor leader turned activist legislator also said that for the meantime, he is seeking the full support of his colleagues in Congress and call on Speaker Jose de Venecia to allow his transfer from the Philippine Heart Center to the House of Representatives. He said that it was not so much his own physical limitations caused by age that is making his health deteriorate, ‘It’s actually being cooped up in the hospital under 24-7 monitoring of the CIDG and the Department of Justice. The tedium of being detained is what’s making my health condition worse, that and hearing about the continued attacks of the Macapagal-Arroyo government on the political, civil and human rights of the Filipino people,” he said.
Beltran said that he wants to be in Congress before session resumes in November. He said that it’s clear that the govenrment does not having concrete to substantiate its charges of rebellion against him, and that it’s only keeping him detained out of pique and refusal to admit that it was illegal to arrest him in the first place.
“The government has no case against me. I should be released at the soonest possible time; and I expect this government to stop fabricating more accusations and allegations against me and allow me to do my job as a legislator of the poor and marginalized sectors,” he concluded.#
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