[APWSLMembers 190] KMU Update and Action Alert: Two leaders of the Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO-KMU) arrested while negotiating to visit Rep. Crispin Beltran in Camp Crame

[Kilusang Mayo Uno]

KMU UPDATE and ACTION ALERT
27 February 2006


Two leaders of the Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor 
Organization (ANGLO-KMU) arrested while  negotiating to visit Rep. 
Crispin Beltran in Camp Crame

10:45 a.m. - Two leaders of the KMU federation Alliance of 
Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO-KMU) were arrested 
while they were negotiating to visit Crispin "Ka Bel"  Beltran in his 
detention cell in Camp Crame.

Dennis Maga and Marcial Dabela, Secretary General and Vice President 
for Organization respectively of ANGLO-KMU, were brought to Camp 
Karingal in Quezon City immediately after the arrest.

The two were part of about a hundred protesters from KMU and 
Anakpawis who marched to Camp Crame to demand the immediate release 
of Ka Bel.  Ka Bel was illegally arrested and detained last Saturday, 
Feb. 26, a day after Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared PD 1017, 
putting the country into a state of national emergency.

The protesters were blocked by anti-riot police in the intersection 
of Camp Crame and Santolan Avenue in EDSA.  The negotiating panel, of 
which Maga and Dabela were part of, said that they also intend to 
visit Ka Bel to show support for him, especially since Ka Bel is the 
former national chairperson of ANGLO-KMU.  The police responded that 
the protesters are too many for the 'supposed' visit.  Both parties 
then agreed that 3-5 leaders would be allowed to enter and the others 
would have to move back.  As the other protesters were moving back, 
the police hastily arrested the two leaders, breaking the earlier agreement.

"The arrest not only shows how treacherous this government is but 
more so, how dangerous is PD 1017and how it can be subject to grave 
abuse.  It is so disgusting that you can be arrested even when all 
you want to do is visit an illegally detained political figure," said 
KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

"We will not be cowed by this kind of intimidation.  We would be 
readying for more protests in the coming days, until our comrades Ka 
Bel, Maga and Dabela are released and until PD 1017 is revoked.  We 
will continue to intensify our mass actions until Gloria is ousted," 
ends Labog.


The following actions are recommended:

1)  Send protest letters to the Philippine president and other 
concerned government agencies
2)  Send solidarity message
3)  Hold protest actions in front of the Philippine Consulates
4)  Hold dialogues with Philippine Ambassadors
5)  Any pertinent actions you may deem necessary

Send protest letters to:

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462
E-mail: corres at op.gov.ph / opnet at ops.gov.ph

Hon. Avelino J. Cruz, Jr.
Secretary of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue
Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488
Fax:+63(2) 911 6213
osnd at philonline.com

Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: drpvq at chr.gov.ph

You can send solidarity messages to:

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
Email: <mailto:crispinbeltran at gmail.com>crispinbeltran at gmail.com

Dennis Maga & Marcial Dabela
ANGLO-KMU
Email: kmuid at tri-isys.com

Please furnish the KMU (kmuid at tri-isys.com) with any actions you may take.

Thank you very much for your support to the Filipino workers and people!

In solidarity,
Kilusang Mayo Uno