Filipinos in Japan Mourn the Death of a Patriot

Migrant Filipinos in Japan mourn the death of Congressman Crispin Beltran, a genuine labor leader, a fearless legislator, champion of the masses, and a true patriot. His untimely demise shocked us and the people he stood by and fought hard for through his more than fifty years of struggle fighting the evils of society and liberating the oppressed and exploited masses of Filipinos.

Endeared to many as simply “Ka Bel”, his courage and conviction to defend the poor and the marginalized were indisputable even in the face of threats to his own life and freedom. His love of people and country was pure and unquestionable. Many times his adversaries threatened his life and his family, took away his freedom and offered bribe to silence him. But while others chose to detour or be silent, Ka Bel stood his ground and fought hard for justice, freedom and democracy.

At the time when he was the country’s foremost labor leader, Ka Bel was unflinching in his conviction to advance workers’ rights and fought alongside peasants, urban poor, and other marginalized sectors.

And when he became the people’s congressman, his devotion to advance the welfare and interests of the poor and the oppressed were always in his actions more than just in his writings and speeches. He may have failed to see the realization of his dreams for the motherland, but he had certainly lived a full and meaningful life in the true meaning of “service to the people”.

We are lucky to have had the chance to meet and talk with Ka Bel during his visits to Japan. However short those visits were, we knew in our hearts thAt Ka Bel came here to side with us. His humility was very evident as he talked about his experiences fighting for the interests of the toiling masses.

Ka Bel will be sorely missed. He will forever be endeared to us not only because he lived by his own example. We condole whth his family for losing their beloved Ka Bel. Their loss is our loss too. However, we take inspiration from his immeasurable contributions to the national democratic movement, and tHe memories he `ad left behind for generations of freedom fighters to come.

He left a void in our hearts. His example shall leave an indelible mark in ouR thoughtS. His legacy shall be cherished by all of us who sees in him the character of a man every Filipino should `be like. To us he is a patriot, a hero greater than those who came before him.

Mabuhax ka Ka Bel! Sa paglisan mo ay bitbit mo ang aming taus-pusong pasasalama at pagpupugay para sa mahabang panahon na inialay mo para sa bayan at sa sambayanang Pilipino na iyong pinaglingkuran ng labis at buong katapangan at katapatan upang sa nalalapit na hinaharap ay makamit namin ang tunay na kalayaan, katarungan, demokrasya, pagkakapantay-pantay, at pangmatagalang kapayapaan.

MIGRANTE-Japan May 20, 2008

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