From: www.philippinerevolution.net website

CPP members, NPA fighters to raise clenched fists and weapons on Wednesday noon 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 honor 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 contibutions 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 organizations 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 honor 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 labor 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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