Tragic death of "Ka Bel"
 

To Elmer Labog, Chairperson, KMU
 

Dear Comrade Elmer: we were dismayed at the news of Comrade Crispin Beltran’s sudden death. Over many years he has been so resolute and determined even in the most challenging of personal circumstances as when confronted with hospital detention for many months by the Arroyo Government.
His spirit and principles always radiated confidence in his determination to ceaselessly advocate and fight for workers rights and the oppressed.
 

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union through its visits to ISA's over a number of years and his visits to Australia as Chair of the KMU had the privilege to host his visit to Australia for our peak union congress held in Brisbane in 1997.
 

I remember vividly his emotional response to a moving and powerful documentary shown at the Congress about the struggles of Australia's indigenous peoples.
 

He later addressed our union delegation at a dinner held in his honour where he spoke of the many struggles of the KMU drawing parallels with the experiences of working people everywhere in this era of capitalist globalisation, of attacks on workers rights, undermining of workers wages and conditions by contract labour and the fight to improve the minimum wage by the KMU.
 

At a personal level I remember his pugnacious speech to a May Day rally in Manila in the early 90's and involvement in the International Peoples Tribunal in 2005. Many Australian comrades have been inspired by his leadership, knowledge and humanity. A close friend of mine recounts an encounter with "Ka Bel" in a liberated area where he walked into the camp wearing a disguise and showing great playfulness when revealing his true identity.
 

Comrade Beltran's life is a mirror for a generation of struggle by the Filipino working class and his leadership through the darkest days of the Marcos years and in the on going murderous campaign against the militant labour movement by the military.
 

As President of the Philippine Australia Union Links I know of the inspiration he provided to many in the Australian Labour movement. His internationalism was keenly felt by all. PAUL marched on May Day last year with a large banner proclaiming "Free Crispin Beltran". His Australian comrades had no hesitation in making his struggles our struggles.
 

He will be sorely missed. However his life work, devoted to liberation will always inspire.
 

Yours in International Solidarity
 

Roger Jowett
Chair of PAUL and ex National Secretary RTBU.



 

Home