Statement of the Committee for the Immediate Release of Congressman Crispin Beltran - Canada

June 21, 2007

As concerned Canadians and Filipino-Canadian, we rejoice at Congressman Beltran’s return to his rightful place in the Philippine House of Representatives, however short-lived. We stand with individuals and organizations in the Philippines and around the world in demanding Congressman Beltran’s full and unconditional release. Once more the Arroyo government has shown its callous disregard for the rule of law by not immediately implementing the Supreme Court decision that dismissed the charges against him together with his colleagues known as the ‘Batasan 6’: Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza, and Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño, and Joel Virador.

Congressman Beltran, known as the “People’s Lawmaker”, has been illegally detained since February 25, 2006. He is a veteran labour leader and twice-elected Congressman, on the verge of a third term. Arrested without warrant, Congressman Beltran was arbitrarily imprisoned by the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime to silence one of its harshest critics as part of her counter-insurgency plan, Oplan Bantay Laya (Operation Freedom Watch). The Arroyo regime has increasingly used state-sponsored acts such as illegal incarceration to silence political opposition.

In the midst of widespread political harassment and killings, the Philippine Supreme Court unanimously ruled on June 1, 2007 to order the Makati Regional Trial Court to dismiss the trumped up rebellion case against the “Batasan Six”. It was unequivocal about its conclusion that government prosecutors, whose actions were clearly driven by political motivations, failed miserably to make its case of probable cause against the six legislators. Despite this decision, Congressman Beltran was granted only a temporary release and ordered to return to detention on June 7, 2007.

The government’s attempt to derail the implementation of the ruling by refusing to release Cong. Beltran and filing a motion for reconsideration is a futile attempt to save face in the midst of another blow to its many violations in trampling the freedoms of the six Congressmen.

If the Arroyo regime wants to demonstrate to the world that it believes and adheres to democratic principles, it must respect the decision of its own Supreme Court. Otherwise, the Philippines has no right to be called a democracy.

As long as this regime continues to make a mockery of the rule of law, we will remain vigilant and militant in arousing the international community in calling for the immediate release of Congressman Beltran.

Free Ka Bel!
Stop the Political Killings! Stop State-sponsored terrorism!
End the Political Repression!
Long Live International Solidarity!