[APWSLMembers 223] Poets, musicians unite with workers for Ka Bel's release Beltran supporters stage freedom jam while awaiting April 3 court resolution

[Kilusang Mayo Uno]

FREE KA BEL MOVEMENT (FKBM)
A network calling for the immediate release
of Anakpawis Representative Crispin B. Beltran,
true leader of the Filipino people.
Rm 702 Culmat Building, 127 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave,
Brgy. Mariana, Cubao, Quezon City Telefax: 02.721.0241


NEWS RELEASE
March 31, 2006

Poets, musicians unite with workers for Ka Bel's release
Beltran supporters stage freedom jam while awaiting April 3 court resolution

Supporters of illegally-detained Anakpawis Congressman Crispin 
Beltran have united with musicians, poets, and artists to press for 
Ka Bel's freedom as a court resolution on a motion filed by Beltran's 
lawyers nears.

A benefit concert entitled "Hangad ay Kalayaan: Gabi ng Awit at Tula 
Para sa Pagpapalaya ni Ka Bel" kicks off tomorrow, 7 PM, April 1 
(Saturday) at the Freedom Bar, 2nd Level, Anonas Commercial Complex 
Anonas St. cor. Aurora Blvd. Quezon City.

Slated to perform at the concert are Asin, Agaw-Agimat, Bobby 
Balingit, Chickoy Pura, Jess Bartolome, Kilometer 64, Musikangbayan, 
Neil Robles, Peoples' Chorale, Talahib, Tambisan sa Sining, Talahib, 
and many more.

"Cultural workers are outraged over the great injustice done to Ka 
Bel, one of the pillars of the Philippine labor movement. This 
concert is a gesture of protest and a celebration of unity for all of 
us who are up against the Arroyo administration's persecution of our 
six progressive lawmakers and people peacefully calling for Pres. 
Arroyo's resignation from office," Dennis Maga, Free Ka Bel Movement 
(FKBM) Spokesperson said.

"This benefit concert will be the first in a series of activities 
this April pressing for Ka Bel's immediate release. Ka Bel has been 
illegally and unjustly detained for too long, and we are prepared to 
unite with the broadest number of people throughout the nation and 
the world to press for Ka Bel's liberty," Maga said.

Meanwhile, bikers and joggers will be uniting with the Bagong 
Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) this Sunday morning (April 2) in a "Takbo 
Para sa Kalayaan, Padyak Para sa Kapayapaan" at the Quezon City 
Memorial Circle. The said activity calls for the upholding of civil 
liberties and the release of Ka Bel.

Maga added that the FKBM is expecting a favourable court decision 
that will allow Ka Bel to be released from direct police custody come Monday.

Under the rules, Judge Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino of the Makati 
Regional Trial Court (MRTC) Branch 137 has until April 2 (Sunday) to 
issue a resolution on the Motion for Judicial Determination of 
Probable Cause filed by Beltran's lawyers.

The resolution is expected to be released by the MRTC first thing in 
the morning on Monday, April 3, 2006. ###