IN FOCUS

Out. Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran finally released.Photo by Pokus-GL.

Canlas, who also serves as the Coordinator of AnakPawis Partylist in Central Luzon, Canlas said in a recent interview by GLNS that the Supreme Court ordered Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Branch 150 Elmo Almeda to release Rep. Beltran as they found the charge of rebellion against him by the government of Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo through the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice as totally baseless.

It can be noted that Rep. Beltran was arrested and jailed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Camp Crame last February 25, 2006. Due to the weakening of his heart’s condition his jailers were forced to transfer him to the Philippine Heart Center for Asia at Quezon City and detain him there since April 2006.

Batasan 5

Early on the Supreme Court also junked a similar set of rebellion charges filed against militant partylist representatives Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino and Joel Virador of Bayan Muna; Rafael Mariano of Anak Pawis and Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party.

IN FOCUS

Knock-out Punch Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran throws a sample of his knock-out punch before fans gathered in front of the KMU office. Photo by Pokus-GL.

The “Batasan 5” as they eventually been known were forced to seek custody of Batasang Pambansa or Congress Lower House where they are regular members to avoid arrest and incarceration by the PNP and the CIDG .

Canlas swore: “Isang kalapastanganan sa karapatan nila at ng mga hikahos na mamamayan ang pagpiit kay Ka Bel at sa Batasan Five, ngayon at kinilala ng Korte Suprema ang kainosentihan nila sa mga inimbentong paratang na rebelyon ng gobyernong Arroyo!” (The jailing of Ka Bel and the Batasan Five is a transgression of theirs and the marginalized peoples’ rights, more so now that the Supreme Court has recognized their innocence from the trumped up rebellion charge by the Arroyo government.)

He added, “Ikinalulugod namin ang naging matatag na tindig ng pinakamataas na hukuman ng bansa kontra sa inimbentong krimen ng gobyernong Arroyo laban sa mga tunay na kumakatawan sa mga manggagawa at magsasaka sa batasan ng bansa.” (We revel on the firm stand of the country’s highest court against the fabricated crime thrown by the Arroyo government against those who genuinely represent the peasants and the workers in the congress).