Press Release
April 24, 2007

Recto calls for the release of ailing
Crispin Beltran from military custody

Sen. Ralph Recto said ailing Rep. Crispin Beltran should be sent home on bail before May 1, "a move that would strike off a major Labor Day demand of workers."

Government prosecutors, he said, should not pose any objection to any bail plea by the 74-year old labor leader who has been detained under guard at the Heart Center for 14 months now due to a heart ailment.

"Releasing him is not a sign of capitulation on the part of the government, but an act of compassion," he said.

Beltran, he said, can be released to the custody of his bishop, which in the case of the Payatas, Quezon City resident, would be Bishop Antonio Tobias.

But such guarantee may no longer be needed in the case of Beltran, Recto said. "This septuagenarian with a bad heart and a bum knee does not fit the profile of a flight risk."

Giving Beltran temporary liberty should not also mean that he is acquitted of the rebellion charges lodged against him in connection with the foiled February 2006 coup, Recto explained.

"It would only mean that he can have his convalescence at home while attending to his cases," he said.

"Let us release him for humanitarian reasons. Its time to send him home to the loving embrace of his wife and the warm company of his apos. Pauwiin na po natin ang lolong ito, Recto said. "Like any heart patient, like the First Gentleman, Ka Bel pines for home," he said, referring to Atty. Mike Arroyo who is reportedly raring to leave St. Lukes Hospital once his doctors give him a clean bill of health after his emergency aorta repair surgery two weeks ago.

Recto said Beltrans continued detention is just giving critics of the administration, "including international mirons and parachute detractors," an issue they can hit the government with.

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