Students and youth groups under Kabataan Party trooped to Heart Center today to greet Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran who is finally coming out from hospital arrest this afternoon.
Kabataan Party President Raymond Palatino said Ka Bel’s resilience and determination to stand up to government abuses and harassment is worthy of the youth’s emulation.
“Ka Bel serves as a good example for this new generation of young Filipinos to never get tired of fighting for truth, justice and democracy. He is a living inspiration for every youth to defy any draconian measure that threatens to curtail civil liberties and human rights.”
Palatino also lauded the Supreme Court’s final decision to dismiss the rebellion charges against Beltran and the Batasan 5, saying the high court’s ruling serves as an early warning to the Arroyo administration to think twice before implementing the Anti-terrorism law in its own whim.
“This should teach Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts that they cannot always have their way and bend law to their favor. The decision is an admonition to this administration not to use the Human Security Act to curtail civil liberties and rights and go after its critics.”
Palatino expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will also strike down the Anti-Terror law and government policy of redeploying military troops in Metro Manila as unconstitutional once civil libertarians and militant groups bring the matter to the high court.
“We remain positive that the Supreme Court will continue to side with the people and stand up to any attempt by this administration to govern above the rule of law.”