Beyond prison, Ka Bel continues to fight

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BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 10) — Since he was freed from his hospital arrest, Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran continues his service to the people. Ka Bel was released on July 10, five days before the implementation of the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007.

ANAKPAWIS REPRESENTATIVE CRISPIN “KA BEL” BELTRAN. Photo by Keidy M. Transfiguracion

Ka Bel was charged with sedition, two days after which he was sued again for rebellion. After his rebellion case was dismissed, he is now free but his sedition case is still pending but the Supreme Court said that since his rebellion case was dismissed, his charge of sedition is also dismissed.

There is a semblance of some justice within an injustice,” Ka Bel said of his release before the has was implemented.

Continuing rebellion theory

HSA is the 2nd Martial Law said Ka Bel in an interview. “Its objective is to wipe-out insurgents against her (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) and not against the republic,” said Ka Bel.

Another policy will be incorporated in the has, he said. The Theory of Continuing Rebellion was coined by then Defense Norberto Gonzales because of the possibility of acts of terrorism by the alleged Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) members.

The formulation of the theory is due to the existence of CPP, he said. Because of the continuing armed struggle by the New People’s Army of the CPP, it is believed that rebellion acts would occur due the objective of overthrowing the power of the government and converting it to a socialist one.

According to Ka Bel, primary target of this policy will be the progressive leaders and groups who were labeled CPP members by the government.

The Batasan 6, which includes Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño and Joel Virador, Anakpawis Representatives Ka Bel and Rafael Mariano and Gabriela Representative Lisa Masa, were charge for a multiple murder . The case is still under investigation by the Supreme Court.

As a reckless Congressman

An international magazine published an article on Ka Bel stating that he was the most reckless man in the Congress. “Why am I reckless? First, because of my socio-political campaigns and second, my opposition for the amendment of the constitution.”

When he was interviewed by Loren Legarda on March 16, at the hospital on what would be the possible reasons of his imprisonment aside from rebellion, he said that it would be his active participation on the ouster of GMA and his oppositions on the Charter Change.

The Anakpawis Party-List has six issues that it is lobbying in the Congress. These include the fight for the Human Rights which includes the economic, civil and political rights of the people. The others are the continuing lobby for the land rights, the call for the additional salary of workers, housing programs, giving attention to the health services and campaign for accessible education.

Ka Bel said he would still fight for the P125 additional salary since their bill on it was not passed by the 13th congress. # Keidy Transfiguracion for NORDIS