CCW revival is timely and necessary

LAST Apil 8, yours truly joined the ‘Batalla Cares Foundation’ and the newly-reorganized ‘Citizens Crime Watch International’ (CCWI) during their gathering and general assembly in Malvar, Batangas.

Kudos to my good and long-time friend, former Bicol Board Member Carlo Batalla, for his unending commitment to help the poor, the marginalized and the victims of crimes and violence.

His many advocacies inspired thousands of others to work and cooperate together for causes far bigger than themselves and that, for worthy causes, even ordinary people can see that their effort gives meaning to the lives of others.

The gathering, where yours truly was elected as among the CCW’s new 15-members Board of Directors, happened a day before the shocking news that the badly-tortured bodies of Fil-Chinese businessman, Anson Que, and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, were recovered in Rodriguez, Rizal—and this despite his family reportedly paying a ransom of more than P100 million to his abductors.

Tragic and horrific this incident may be, it coincidentally came just as Carlo and I were discussing about the CCW’s revival for several weeks prior to its general assembly. We are sure that with its membership spread out all over the country, the CCWI can again add its voice in our citizens’ clamor for a return to normalcy in our peace and order situation.

And by ‘normalcy,’ we mean of course that anyone of us—the rich and the poor—can once again feel free and safe to walk the streets, go to school or work, conduct our daily lives and conduct our business without fear.

The CCW, of course, has a long and impressive history. It has made its mark among the country’s active civic organizations since it was founded in March 2014, by Atty. Jose Malvar-Villegas, grandson of revolutionary general Miguel Malvar.

I had many occasions to interview Atty. Villegas in past National Press Club (NPC) media forums and found him witty and engaging. He died in November 2021, at the ripe age of 84.

Since then, the CCW has been in a ‘tug-of-war’ with the group of Diego Magpantay, who claims he is the “National President” but which should be taken with a grain of salt by everyone.

Anyway, its new chairman, Atty. Virgilio Batalla, expects to sort out the records in the coming days for everyone’s enlightenment.

Abangan!