JFAV : A Tribute to Ka. Crispin Beltran, The Hero of the Filipino Working Class

The Justice for Filipino American veterans (JFAV), the alliance of veterans groups, student / youth, community organizations and veteran rights advocates in the United States and as a founding member of the International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) pays tribute and homage to Crispin Beltran, 75 , who passed away last May 20, 2008 in the Philippines

Ka. Bel, as we fondly call him, was a representative of BAYAN MUNA and later the ANAK-PAWIS Party list group, BAYAN Chair, Past Chair and Chair emeritus of Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) labor center and was the first chairperson of the International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) from 2001-2004.

As a chair person of the ILPS Ka Bel supported the Filipino World War II and gave due course to the resolution of the ILPS in 2001 and again in 2004 ILPS Assemblies recognizing the contribution of the veterans to the struggle against fascism in World War II and the justices of their current struggle for recognition, justice and equity.

JFAV is grateful to Ka Bel because he understood the plight of the Filipino veterans in the US. While others think that the veterans issue is marginalized, he supported the Filipino veterans because it was a democratic issue. Coming from the oppressed and the downtrodden, he was one with them and as the chair of the ILPS, he made sure it was put on record.

It was only the ILPS as an international organization that addressed the veterans equity issue that was forgotten for 63 years . Three years later, in 2004 while Ka Bel was the outgoing ILPS chair, the ILPS included the issue of the veterans equity and the 64,000 Filipino World War II veterans into the concern of the aged. disabled and elderly as a particular concern.

When he was again tortured and jailed by the fascist US-Macapagal-Arroyo regime when GMA declared a “state of emergency” in February 2006. JFAV worked for his immediate release.

Ka Bel may not be a war veteran but he is a consummate veteran working class fighter for the Filipino people. He is a champion of the international proletariat,.

We in JFAV salutes him for his greatness and fortitude!

Mabubuhay si Ka Bel sa ala-ala ng Masang Pilipino!

(Sgd)

Justice For Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)

Col. Peping Baclig

Arturo P. Garcia

Co-coordinators



Los Angeles, CA

May 21, 2008

The Justice for Filipino American veterans (JFAV), the alliance of veterans groups, student / youth, community organizations and veteran rights advocates in the United States and as a founding member of the International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) pays tribute and homage to Crispin Beltran, 75 , who passed away last May 20, 2008 in the Philippines

Ka Bel may not be a war veteran but he is a consummate veteran working class fighter for the Filipino people. He is a champion of the international proletariat,.