Miltant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today called on all workers to hold work-stoppages on May 28 as homage for KMU Chairman Emeritus Crispin 'Ka Bel' Beltran on the day of his funeral. 

KMU declared May 28 as a “National Day of Mourning for Ka Bel and Protest against the US-Macapagal-Arroyo regime.”  

“All workers throughout the country, affiliated with KMU or not, are called to leave from work even just for a few hours on the day of Ka Bel's burial,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer 'Ka Bong' Labog. He invited everyone to join the funeral march up to his town at the Angel of Meadows Memorial and Nature Park at Pulong Yantok, Angat, Bulacan. 

Those who will not be able to join are encouraged to gather at their local plazas to hold tribute programs. 

Labog also said that workers have already registered their tribute to Ka Bel in various places and forms, like hanging of streamers at factories and offices. Workers will wear black and red armbands today as a symbol of “mourning and protest.” They will also carry placards with the calls: Crispin ’Ka Bel’ Beltran, Bayani ng Uring Manggagawa!, Ka Bel, Dakilang Lider-Manggagawa!, Ka Bel, Tuloy ang Laban!, Ka Bel, Tuloy ang Laban para sa P125 Dagdag Sahod! 

Workers at Baguio City will also stage a tribute program this afternoon at the People's Park in Baguio, and will also send a contingent for the funeral march starting at Manila. 

Labog added that since Ka Bel was also a former driver and drivers' organization leader, PISTON (Pinag-isang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide) members will also hang streamers at jeep terminals. 

”As an outstanding labor leader and a great hero of the people who served us for more than 53 years, it is rightful to accord him our highest salute. He selflessly offered himself to the poor and humbly lived among them, and remained a poor man till his death, which is highly exceptional among the political leaders of the country. 

Labog added that his burial is a Day of Protest against Arroyo for the oppression she has Done to Ka Bel. Arroyo accused Ka Bel of rebellion and illegally arrested and detained him for 15 months. 

KMU would also like to remind the public that widespread poverty, soaring prices of goods and services, corruption, political killings, and other ills of the country that Ka Bel has staunchly fought against, still persists. 

”The fight of Ka Bel lives on. We will continue to campaign for the ouster of a corrupt, fake, fascist, and US puppet Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The same president who made an innocent Ka Bel suffer despite his old age and frail health,” Labog said.