Committee for the Immediate Release of Congressman Crispin Beltran
Press Release

Canadian committee forms to demand immediate release of Philippine Congressman Beltran

February 26 2006

(Vancouver, BC and Toronto, ON) — A Canadian committee was formed today to protest the Philippine government’s illegal arrest and detention of Arroyo critic Congressman Crispin Beltran.  It called on the Philippine government to immediately and unconditionally release the 73-year-old parliamentarian and trade union leader.

“As Canadians, we strongly condemn this illegal action of the Philippine government.  Coming barely a day after the declaration of a state of emergency, this is clearly political harassment to silence an outspoken opposition leader,” said Suzanne Baustad, National Co-Coordinator for the Committee.  “He should be immediately freed,” declared Baustad.

Congressman Beltran of the progressive political party Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) was arrested on February 25, 2006 by a special unit of the Philippine police.  Despite international protests about his arrest and concerns about his ill health, he remains in detention in Manila.

Reports state that the Arroyo government is trying to justify the arrest of the 2-term Congressman by reviving a 21-year-old charge of “sedition.”  However, his lawyer, Romeo Capulong (a noted human rights lawyer and former United Nations judge) says that the sedition case had long ago been quashed.  Latest reports state that Beltran is now being charged with “inciting to sedition,” charges he also denies as without legal basis.

As the leader of the largest trade union central in the Philippines, Beltran has met with Canadian trade unionists both in Canada and in the Philippines.

“Congressman Beltran is also well-known in the Filipino community in Canada,” says Marco Luciano, National Co-Coordinator for the Committee.  “In 2005, he sponsored a resolution calling for the Philippines Congress to investigate abuses of Filipino women under Canada’s Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP),” noted Luciano.  “Given that 95% of those coming under the LCP are from the Philippines, our community appreciates Congressman’s Beltran’s ongoing support.  Now it is our turn to show our support and concern for him.”

The Committee appeals to Canadian parliamentarians, trade unionists, church leaders and others to support the campaign for Congressman Beltran’s immediate release.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Ted or Sheila at (604) 215-1905 in Vancouver or please contact Marco or Yolyn at (416) 878-8772.

Committee for the Immediate Release of Congressman Crispin Beltran

Philippine Congressman Crispin Beltran