The National Committee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation extends its most heartfelt condolences to the family, comrades and friends of Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran. We reprint here a statement from the Gabriela Network USA on the passing of this courageous leader of the Filipino labor movement and liberation struggle.
GABNet Statement on the Passing of Ka Bel
From Dr. Annalisa Enrile, National Chairperson, GABRIELA Network USA
GABRIELA Network USA, its entire membership singly and collectively, and all sister organizations under the Mariposa Alliance, hereby give our last clenched-fist salute to the indomitable labor leader and revolutionary Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, standard bearer of the Anakpawis Party and chair of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement).
We feel as bereft as his family, comrades, friends and allies; and share with them an immense sense of loss at his death. He was a leader among leaders, a rarity one could respect and admire without reservation.
We held and continue to hold Ka Bel dear for his uncompromising dedication to the struggle for the emancipation of the working class, for the liberation of the Filipino people and for the creation of a society where true justice and equality could prevail.
We held and continue to hold Ka Bel dear for his militancy, his personal courage and continued defiance of the political repression which successive Philippine governments from the Marcos Dictatorship which imprisoned him to the Macapagal-Arroyo government which again imprisoned him—visited upon his person, upon the Filipino worker and upon the Filipino people. We only regret that Ka Bel, who saw the demise of the Marcos Dictatorship, will not witness the demise of the current regime which has murdered nearly a thousand progressive leaders and activists.
We held and continue to hold Ka Bel dear for being one of the most considerate leaders of the Philippine national democratic movement, despite the enormous power of his reputation and positions. He dealt fairly, politely and patiently, and sometimes with humor, with even the least of those he came into contact with.
We held and continue to hold Ka Bel dear for unfailingly treating women with due respect and equality, never even once condescending to them or their struggle for emancipation, but recognizing the need for women’s emancipation as an intrinsic part of the struggle to liberate the Filipino people and the Filipino nation.
And finally, we held and continue to hold Ka Bel dear for having made indelible, through personal example, the dignity of the working class, the justness of the cause of workers’ emancipation, and the correctness of working class leadership.
We beg his wife, children, relatives and friends to accept this message of sympathy at their pain. Time may be the great enemy of individual lives, bringing each to an end, abrupt and often unexpected; but time is also a great ally of mass movements, in the epic march towards freedom, equality and liberation, and for the historic vindication of such heroes as Ka Bel.
Crispin Beltran, presente!
