KMU condemns crackdown on progressive partylist solons

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) condemns the arrest of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran."If the government can do this to our representatives in the Lower House using PD 1017, how much more to us ordinary citizens?" stressed Elmer Labog, KMU National Chairperson.According to reports, Beltran was arrested by the military led by a certain Major Rene Corpus at the gate of Francisco III Subdivision in Muzon, Bulacan around 10 am today after leaving his house. Beltran was said to be taken for investigation in Camp Crame. The veteran labor advocate was accompanied by his wife, grandchild and two security personnel when the incident occurred.Beltran was also a victim of martial law during the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos when crackdown hit the KMU leaders. On August 13, 1983, three trade union leaders, 28 organizers and three church people were arrested. The office of the National Federation of Labor Union (NAFLU) was raided. Then KMU National President Ka Bert Olalia, KMU Secretary General Crispin Beltran and PISTON President Medardo Roda were arrested.Beltran was honored as an outstanding congressman for four consecutive years.Meanwhile, an attempt to arrest Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo also happened this morning after a press conference in Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. But reports said, members of Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) failed to arrest the partylist solon and instead took two of Ocampo's staff.KMU urges the media, different organizations and the people to be vigilant on the president's state of emergency, "It is apparent that Gloria is using this decree to freely suppress and take revenge on the staunch critics of the anti-people policies of this administration."