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.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 1017 and 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 agencies2. Send solidarity message3. Hold protest actions in front of the Philippine Consulates4. Hold dialogues with Philippine Ambassadors5. Any pertinent actions you may deem necessarySend protest letters to:H.E. Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoPresident of the Republic of the PhilippinesMalacanang PalaceJP Laurel St., San Miguel, ManilaPhilippinesVoice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968Mobile: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.phHon. Avelino J. Cruz, Jr.Secretary of National DefenseRoom 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, E. de losSantos Avenue Quezon CityVoice: +63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488Fax: +63(2) 911 6213Email: osnd@philonline.comHon. Purificacion Valera QuisumbingChairperson, Commission on Human RightsSAAC Bldg., UP ComplexCommonwealth AvenueDiliman, Quezon CityPhilippinesFax: (+632) 929 0102Email: drpvq@chr.gov.phYou can send solidarity messages to:Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranEmail: crispinbeltran@gmail.comDennis Maga & Marcial DabelaANGLO-KMUEmail: kmuid@tri-isys.comPlease furnish the KMU (kmuid@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