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Issue Number 31, October 2008
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Kapatiran Issue
No. 31, October 2008
PHILIPPINE TRIBUTES TO KA BEL
CPP Members, NPA Fighters To Raise Clenched Fists
And Weapons In Salute to Ka Bel
Information Bureau Communist Party of the
Philippines, Press Release, May 26, 2008
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today said
that Party members will raise clenched fists and Red
fighters of the New People's Army (NPA) will raise their
weapons at noon on Wednesday "to salute and honour
the memory of Crispin 'Ka Bel' Beltran, proletarian
internationalist and hero of the working class and
Filipino people."
The CPP Central Committee today issued a statement as
tribute to Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran who died
last May 20 at his home in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
At the time of his death, Beltran was Chairman Emeritus
of the Kilusang Mayo Uno and Anakpawis Party
representative in Congress.
CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said
the entire membership of the CPP and all revolutionary
fighters will in this manner "pay their highest
tribute to Ka Bel." He expressed the Party and
revolutionary movement's condolences to Ka Bel's wife Ka
Osang and his entire family, friends and comrades.
"While the working class and people are saddened at
his passing away, they celebrate as well the victories Ka
Bel has helped achieve and all the valuable contributions
he has made in advancing the struggles of the toiling
masses and the entire Filipino people," said Rosal.
"The blood of Andres Bonifacio and all our
revolutionary heroes of the past flowed through Ka Bel's
veins. He devoted his entire life and gave everything in
service to the working class, the toiling masses, the
Filipino people and all oppressed peoples of the
world," said the CPP-CC.
"In picket lines or in Congress, on the streets or
in farms, in demonstrations or in gatherings, Ka Bel was
always a fighter who was truly resolute, courageous and
vigorous in advancing the struggle for national freedom,
democracy and socialism”.
Rosal said the CPP, the New People's Army and all
revolutionary forces will be "expressing
solidarity" with workers, peasant, youth, women and
other sectoral and multi-sectoral organisations and the
rest of the Filipino people in paying tribute to Ka Bel
on Wednesday as his remains are carried in a people's
march from the House of Representative to his final
resting place in Bulacan.
"On Wednesday noon, Party members will raise
clenched fists and Red fighters of the NPA will raise
their weapons, while observing a minute of solemn silence
to salute and honour Ka Bel," said Rosal. Beltran,
who died due to a fall while fixing a leaking roof at his
small home, "always remained a humble worker, a
people's servant and fighter," the CPP statement
said.
From the 1950s onwards, Ka Bel had devoted his life to
the militant labour movement. He was twice incarcerated
in 1982-1984 under the Marcos martial law regime and in
2006-2007 under the Arroyo regime. From 1984-1986, he
joined the revolutionary armed struggle after escaping
from prison. From 2001 to 2007, he served as a
representative of Bayan Muna and, at the time of his
death, was serving as a representative of the Anakpawis
Party in the Philippine Congress. He was also Chairman
Emeritus of the Kilusang Mayo Uno. The CPP statement
further said that: "Inside an institution that
serves as haven for billionaires and corrupt officials,
Ka Bel took not a single centavo... Poverty killed him...
The circumstances of his death underscored further his
life of dignity and devotion to the people's cause and
struggles".
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