# Crispin Beltran > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Crispin_Beltran > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Crispin_Beltran.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispin_Beltran > Source revision: 1356515428 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Filipino trade unionist and politician (1933–2008)}} {{Philippine name|Bertiz|Beltran}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = [The Honorable](/source/The_Honorable) | name = Crispin Beltran | image = Crispin Beltran (1405641421).jpg | image_size = 220px | caption = | order = | office = Member of the [Philippine House of Representatives](/source/Philippine_House_of_Representatives) for [Anakpawis](/source/Anakpawis) | term_start = June 30, 2004 | term_end = May 20, 2008 | alongside = [Rafael V. Mariano](/source/Rafael_V._Mariano) (2004–2007), Joel Manglungsod (2007–2008) | office2 = Member of the
[Philippine House of Representatives](/source/Philippine_House_of_Representatives)
for [Bayan Muna](/source/Bayan_Muna) | term_start2 = June 30, 2001 | term_end2 = June 30, 2004 | alongside2 = [Satur Ocampo](/source/Satur_Ocampo) (2001–2004), [Liza Maza](/source/Liza_Maza) (2001–2004), [Joel Virador](/source/Joel_Virador) (2003–2004) | birth_name = Crispin Bertiz Beltran | birth_date = {{birth date|mf=y|1933|1|7}} | birth_place = [Bacacay](/source/Bacacay), [Albay](/source/Albay), [Insular Government of the Philippine Islands](/source/Insular_Government_of_the_Philippine_Islands), U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|mf=y|2008|05|20|1933|01|07}} | death_place = [San Jose del Monte](/source/San_Jose_del_Monte), [Bulacan](/source/Bulacan), Philippines | party = [Bayan Muna](/source/Bayan_Muna) (2001–2004)
[Anakpawis](/source/Anakpawis) (2007–2008) | other_party = [Bagong Alyansang Makabayan](/source/Bagong_Alyansang_Makabayan) *[Kilusang Mayo Uno](/source/Kilusang_Mayo_Uno) | spouse = Rosario “Ka Osang” Soto | profession = Labor leader | alma_mater = [University of the Philippines Diliman](/source/University_of_the_Philippines_Diliman) }} '''Crispin Bertiz Beltran''' (January 7, 1933 – May 20, 2008), also known as '''Ka Bel''', was a Filipino [labor leader](/source/Organized_labor) and politician. A staunch critic of [President](/source/President_of_the_Philippines) [Gloria Macapagal Arroyo](/source/Gloria_Macapagal_Arroyo), his imprisonment in 2006 and 2007 on disputed charges of rebellion and sedition drew international attention. He was a member of [13th Congress of the Philippines](/source/13th_Congress_of_the_Philippines) with the [Anakpawis](/source/Anakpawis) ("Toiling Masses") [party-list](/source/Party-list_proportional_representation) and former chair of [Kilusang Mayo Uno](/source/Kilusang_Mayo_Uno) (KMU), a militant and progressive labor movement. ==Labor leader== Beltran began his labor career in his 20s when he served as the president of the Yellow Taxi Drivers’ Union and the Amalgamated Taxi Drivers Federation from 1955 to 1963. He served as vice administrator of the Confederation of Labor Unions of the Philippines and was vice president of the Philippine Alliance of Nationalist Organizations from 1963 to 1972. During the Marcos [Martial Law](/source/Martial_Law) [regime](/source/Martial_law_under_Ferdinand_Marcos), in August 1982 to 1984, he was arrested and detained at [Camp Crame](/source/Camp_Crame), [Quezon City](/source/Quezon_City), and his 10 children lived on his small earnings from selling rubber slippers and selling fish in the market. Osang delivered his speeches at rallies, and eventually did volunteer work at the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines. In 1984, when KMU president Felixberto Olalia died of [pneumonia](/source/pneumonia) in his detention cell, Ka Osang successfully planned a daring escape plan amid his [kidney](/source/kidney) ailment, but he endured blows, punches and kicks from his guards. Beltran became a fugitive of justice in Central Luzon, and was protected by insurgents. After [Marcos's downfall in 1986](/source/People_Power_Revolution), President [Corazon Aquino](/source/Corazon_Aquino) ordered the release of Beltran and of all political prisoners. He joined the party-list elections as a second nominee of Bayan Muna in 2001 and won a seat in the House of Representatives. He won a second term in 2004 and a third term in 2007 as [Anakpawis](/source/Anakpawis) representative.{{Cite web|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/|title=Philippines Top Stories: Politics, Environment, Education, Trending {{!}} Inquirer.net|website=newsinfo.inquirer.net|language=en|access-date=2019-06-05}} Beltran joined the [Kilusang Mayo Uno](/source/Kilusang_Mayo_Uno) in 1985. He became the chairperson of the organization in 1986 following the murder of [Rolando Olalia](/source/Rolando_Olalia). From 1993 to 1999, Beltran was the chairperson of [BAYAN](/source/BAYAN). ==Detention and release== On February 25, 2006, Beltran was arrested shortly after a [state of emergency](/source/2006_state_of_emergency_in_the_Philippines) was declared by [President](/source/President_of_the_Philippines) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was charged with inciting to sedition. He was subsequently implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of Arroyo.[http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/172070-72.htm ''Beltran v. People, G.R. No. 175013, 1 June 2007''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404171635/http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/172070-72.htm |date=4 April 2008 }} An international campaign was organized calling for the immediate release of Beltran. One group, the 'Free Ka Bel Movement' has local chapters in Southern Tagalog, Davao and Cebu and international chapters in Hong Kong, Japan, US, Canada, Australia and Switzerland.{{Cite web|url=https://freekabelmovement.blogspot.com/|title=Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM)|website=freekabelmovement.blogspot.com|access-date=2019-06-05}} Some 99 parliamentarians from across the world supported the release of Crispin Beltran coming from 11 countries and 13 parliaments, including the Netherlands, Cambodia, Burma, New Zealand, Belgium, Chile, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the European Parliament, Switzerland, Denmark, and the Flemish Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bayanmuna.net/?page_id=208|title=Bayan Muna|website=www.bayanmuna.net|access-date=2019-06-05|archive-date=2019-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605095024/https://www.bayanmuna.net/%3Fpage_id%3D208|url-status=dead}} Beltran also drew support from [Keith Locke](/source/Keith_Locke), MP, Foreign Affairs Critic of the [Green Party](/source/Green_Party_of_Aotearoa_New_Zealand) of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand).[https://archive.today/20121220093319/http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/PR9638.html Keith Locke MP, "Helen Clark should help free Filipino MPs", 14 March 2006.] Beltran remained in detention until June 2007, when the [Supreme Court of the Philippines](/source/Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippines) voided the charges against Beltran and several other leaders affiliated with leftist groups. On January 4, 2008, Beltran filed House Resolution 299 with the [House of Representatives of the Philippines](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines) to investigate the [murders](/source/murders) and harassment of trade union / labor leaders in the Philippines. He cited the 2007 annual Survey of Trade Union Rights Violations of the [International Trade Union Confederation](/source/International_Trade_Union_Confederation): "33 of the total 144 cases of trade union killings worldwide happened in the Philippines; and 800 cases of beatings and torture of trade unionists in the country."[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080106-110621/Probe_killing_of_labor_leaders--Beltran Inquirer.net, Probe killing of labor leaders--Beltran] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731192421/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080106-110621/Probe_killing_of_labor_leaders--Beltran |date=July 31, 2013 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/75412/news/nation/33-of-144-labor-leaders-killed-around-world-in-07-from-rp/|title=33 of 144 labor leaders killed around world in '07 from RP|website=GMA News Online|date=6 January 2008 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-05}} Beltran was hurt in a vehicular accident in October 2007 in [Intramuros](/source/Intramuros), [Manila](/source/Manila), when his [Toyota](/source/Toyota) Hi-Ace van was rammed by a [Ford Everest](/source/Ford_Everest) sports utility vehicle. Beltran was at the Philippine General Hospital after having [lacerations](/source/lacerations) on his left eye and suffered nosebleed.{{Cite web |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=94724 |title=Inquirer.net, Congressman Beltran hurt in vehicular accident in Manila |access-date=2007-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016170312/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=94724 |archive-date=2007-10-16 |url-status=dead }} ==Personal life and education== 23 year old [taxi](/source/Taxicab) driver Beltran first met then 15-year-old Rosario “Ka Osang” Soto (aged 68 at the time of Beltran's death) on November 10, 1956, after she cut classes and left her grandmother at [Quiapo](/source/Quiapo%2C_Manila). Beltran drove Osang in his taxicab to his [San Juan](/source/San_Juan%2C_Metro_Manila) boarding house, and after 3 days thereat, her furious father beat up Beltran in front of her, and brought him to the San Juan municipal jail. Eventually, they had to get married, and had 10 children. Beltran was a cabbie by day and [University of the Philippines](/source/University_of_the_Philippines)’ [Asian Labor Education Center](/source/University_of_the_Philippines_School_of_Labor_and_Industrial_Relations) student by night. Beltran was baptized a Roman Catholic, but eventually grew up in the [Philippine Independent Church](/source/Philippine_Independent_Church).{{Cite news |title=Crispin Beltran: the politics of the possible—Fides Lim |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/views-and-analysis/05/27/08/crispin-beltran-politics-possible%E2%80%94fides-lim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218081947/https://news.abs-cbn.com/views-and-analysis/05/27/08/crispin-beltran-politics-possible%E2%80%94fides-lim |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 18, 2019 |date=May 27, 2008 |publisher=[ABS-CBN News](/source/ABS-CBN_News) |website=ABS-CBN |access-date=November 8, 2022}}{{Cite news |title=Friends, allies say goodbye to Beltran at IFI church |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/96631/friends-allies-say-goodbye-to-beltran-at-ifi-church/story/ |date=May 21, 2008 |publisher=[GMA News](/source/GMA_News) |website= GMA News Online |access-date=December 17, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/63751/news/crispin-beltran/|title=Crispin Beltran|website=GMA News Online|date=20 May 2008 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-05}}{{Cite web|url=http://bayanusa.org/working-class-hero-crispin-ka-bel-beltran-leaves-a-living-legacy/|title=Working class hero Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran leaves a living legacy – BAYAN-USA|website=bayanusa.org|access-date=2019-06-05}} ==Death and legacy== [[File:BantayogWall20181115Alternativity-2014.jpg|left|thumb|Detail of the Wall of Remembrance at the [Bantayog ng mga Bayani](/source/Bantayog_ng_mga_Bayani), showing names from the 2014 batch of Bantayog Honorees, including that of Crispin Beltran.]] On May 20, 2008, Beltran fell 14 feet from the roof of his [Bulacan](/source/Bulacan) home, which he had been repairing. He sustained severe head injuries and was declared dead at 11:48 a.m. by attending physicians at the [Far Eastern University](/source/Far_Eastern_University) hospital,{{cite news |title='Ka Bel' declared dead due to severe head injuries |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/96284/Ka-Bel-declared-dead-due-to-severe-head-injuries |publisher=GMA News |date=2008-05-20 |access-date=2008-05-20 }} aged 75. He was survived by his wife Rosario, with whom he had eleven children.{{cite news |first1=Maila |last1=Ager |first2=Abigail |last2=Kwok |title='Grand old man of Philippine labor' mourned |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080520-137691/UPDATE-Grand-old-man-of-Philippine-labor-mourned |publisher=[Philippine Daily Inquirer](/source/Philippine_Daily_Inquirer) |date=2008-05-20 |access-date=2008-05-20 }} Upon his death, Beltran was lauded by his colleagues in the labor sector as the "''Grand Old Man of Philippine labor''". [Malacañan Palace](/source/Malaca%C3%B1an_Palace) also released a statement through a spokesperson calling Beltran "one of the most respected labor leaders in the country" and a "vital figure" in Philippine labor.{{cite news |first=Lira |last=Dalangin-Fernandez |title=Palace mourns passing of Beltran, 'vital figure' in labor |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080520-137720/Palace-mourns-passing-of-Beltran-vital-figure-in-labor |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-05-20 |access-date=2008-05-20}} In 2014, Beltran was honored at the [Bantayog ng mga Bayani](/source/Bantayog_ng_mga_Bayani), alongside previous KMU leaders Felixberto Olalia Sr. and his son Rolando Olalia.{{cite news| last=Doyo |first=Ma. Ceres |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/653757/3-labor-leaders-nun-bantayog-honorees |title=3 labor leaders, nun Bantayog honorees |date=December 1, 2014 |newspaper=[Philippine Daily Inquirer](/source/Philippine_Daily_Inquirer)}} ==References== {{Reflist|2}} {{Bagong Alyansang Makabayan}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Beltran, Crispin}} Category:1933 births Category:2008 deaths Category:People from Albay Category:Accidental deaths from falls in the Philippines Category:Bicolano people Category:Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines for Anakpawis Category:Bayan Muna politicians Category:Bicolano politicians Category:People from San Jose del Monte Category:Marcos martial law victims Category:Individuals honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Category:Members of the Philippine Independent Church Category:Former Roman Catholics --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Crispin Beltran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispin_Beltran) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispin_Beltran?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.