カ・ベルへの追悼文（英訳）
Message of condolence
We AWC-Japan are in deep sorrow to hear the news of the sudden demise of Com. Crispin Beltran (Ka. Bel) and would like to convey our heartfelt condolence to his family, all the comrades, and friends in the Philippines.
Ka. Bel is an outstanding leader who has been in the front of liberation struggle of Filipino people throughout his life. He started to serve workers when he was young, kept on fighting under martial law regime, served as chairperson of militant KMU and BAYAN, worked as dedicated pro-people Congress person, and chairperson of ILPS. He devoted himself in the struggle for decent living, welfare, human rights of workers and toiling masses, for the cause of anti-imperialism and national liberation, democracy and peace.
His activities were not restricted in the Philippines alone, but carried out across the borders as well. He made great contribution to the advance of international labor movement and people’s campaign.
It was in 1987 when our workers first participated in KMU-ISA, and met Ka. Bel. Later he often visited Japan to encourage lots of workers/unions who were faced with capitalists’ all-out offensive, and convinced them to firmly unite and fight for the victory. He also resolutely oppose the increasing economic hegemony and military presence of U.S. and Japan in Asian Pacific region, and stressed Japanese people to unite with Asian people and scrap the imperialists’ plot. When we established `Asian Wide Campaign against U.S.-Japanese Aggression and Domination of Asia’ (AWC), Ka. Bel served as its co-representative, and played a great and indispensable role. It is our grave regret that we lost the great leader like him in the midst of sweeping new-liberalism globalization and global ‘war on terror.’ However, we salute and follow his activities rooted in anti-imperialism and internationalism spirit, and further advance AWC campaign.
Ka. Bel has left us the great example and legacy of struggle to liberate workers and toiling masses. Together with people of the Philippines and the world over, we pledge to take after his goal and unyielding sprit to push through anti-imperialist struggle to the victory.
May 22, 2008
Shuichi Koshiro
Co-representative
Asian Wide Campaign against U.S.-Japanese Aggression and Domination of Asia’ (AWC)--Japan