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Statement
May 20, 2008
Ka Bel: A fighter for the right to free expression
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) mourns the passage of trade union leader and legislator Mr. Crispin Beltran. We will miss him both as a subject of our stories and as a friend of Filipino journalists.
Mr. Beltran was a tireless leader, advocate and ally of workers, including those in mass media. He was a fighter for press freedom and the right to free expression. As a legislator, he supported bills seeking to advance the cause of freedom of information. As a union leader, he stood by media workers on labor and welfare issues, once even joining the union of defunct Manila Chronicle at the picketline when it went on strike.
On behalf of media workers and journalists, we extend our sympathies to Mr Beltran's family and colleagues.
References:
Jose Torres Jr., chairperson
Rowena Paraan, secretary-general