The Regional Trial Court Branch 137 in Makati City earlier ordered the transfer of Anakpawis Representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran from his illegal detention at the Philippine National Police Hospital.

Presiding judge Jenny Lind R. Aldecoa-Delorino signed the resolution dated April 17, 2006 allowing Ka Bel’s transfer to a private hospital based on the recommendations of the latter’s doctors. According to Judge Aldecoa-Delorino, “Despite the filing of the Motion for Judicial Determination of Probable Cause, the Court favorably considers the motion fro transfer of accused Beltran to a private hospital to allow him to undergo thorough medical check-up, treatment and confinement…”

The family of Ka Bel welcomed the decision. According to Rosario “Ka Osang” Beltran, wife of Ka Bel, “The decision was long overdue because every minute Ka Bel remains illegally detained at the PNP Hospital, his physical and mental well-being is placed at risk.”

Meanwhile, Joel Maglunsod, secretary-general of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) added that ”It is definitely good news that the court decided on our favor but we must remain vigilant as the bootlickers of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, led by Raul Gonzales are more than willing to bend the law to silence the critics of this hated regime.”

“The continued illegal detention of Ka Bel’s is disenfranchising his constituents on the debate regarding Charter Change. Add to this are the many labor related bills, especially the P125 legislated wage hike bill, moving on a snails pace due to his absence. Workers are already anxious on the result of the P125 Bill as May 1 approaches,” said Maglunsod.

”The transfer is not enough. What the court should do is immediately release Ka Bel from his illegal detention. From the start, they have filed trumped up charges against him, violated his civil rights and wantonly distorted the law just to keep him locked-in,” opined Maglunsod.

”On the world-wide celebration of the Labor Day, we shall fight tooth and nail to see Ka Bel free and marching alongside the workers on this very special day for the toiling masses,” ended Maglunsod.