Emotional welcome for remains of ‘Ka Bel’ in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines - An emotional welcome marked the return of the remains of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran to his home in Bulacan province after midnight Tuesday. Radio dzBB reported Wednesday morning that friends, relatives and supporters of Beltran waited at the party-list solon's house at San Francisco Homes in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Beltran's daughter Ofelia said the remains of the Anakpawis leader were to stay there until 4 p.m., then transferred to the Iglesia Filipino Independiente (IFI) cathedral in Manila. As of Wednesday morning, Ofelia said they have yet to decide where to bury the 75-year-old labor leader. Militant groups prepared a vigil-march for Beltran in Manila Wednesday afternoon. The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said its members will gather at the corner of Taft Avenue and T.M. Kalaw Street at 4:30 p.m. to wait for the arrival of Beltran's remains. Bayan members will then march from there to the IFI cathedral some blocks away, then keep vigil over Beltran's remains. Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr said Beltran's remains will stay at the IFI cathedral until May 27, Tuesday, when they will be brought to the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City. Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines public affairs head and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr lauded Beltran for setting a "good example" for laborers. Radio dzBB's Bernie Morales reported that Iñiguez hailed Beltran for being strong amid harassment, and for maintaining his principles. The bishop cited Beltran's rejection of an alleged P2-million bribe offer last year to support a supposedly weak impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Iñiguez said he hopes there will be leaders like Beltran who would take his place in fighting for laborers' rights. Beltran died before noon Tuesday after suffering a bad fall while fixing a leak at the roof of his house. - GMANews.TV