CCW-Malvar Squad Launched In Bacolod

Atty. Jose Malvar Villegas Jr. , Founder/President/Chairman of Crime Watch (CCW), and John J. Chiong, Founder/President of CCW-Kasanag Foundation Inc., addressing media practitioners during the launching of the CCW-Malvar Squad Volunteers Against Illegal Drugs and Criminality on June 9, 2016 at East View Hotel, Bacolod City The CCW-Malvar Squad Volunteers Against Illegal Drugs and Criminality was launched by the Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) under its Founder/President/Chairman Atty. Jose Malvar Villegas Jr. and the CCW-Kasanag Foundation Inc. under its Founder/President John J. Chiong during a press conference on June 9, 2016 at East View Hotel, Bacolod City with the project name “If they fight back, kill the drug lords, kill the pushers/” The CCW-Malvar Squad Volunteers was named after the grandfather of Atty. Villegas, Philippine Gen. Miguel C. Malvar (1865-1911), who assumed command of the Philippine revolutionary forces during the Philippine–American War following the surrender of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo to the Americans in 1901. Gen. Malvar commanded the Batangas Brigade, which was also known as the Malvar Brigade. Whereas the Gen. Malvar and his men fought for the liberation of the Philippines from American colonial rule, the CCW-Malvar Squad Volunteers seeks to support incoming Philippine President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte’s campaign to eradicate the country of drugs (and gambling and the like), which destroys the grassroots foundation of Filipino society. Atty. Villegas and the CCW previously led the fight against the Pork Barrel and won the legal battle against PDAP & DAP, which were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, leading to the prosecution and incarceration of members of Congress. When asked about the legality of “killing” a drug lord or a drug pusher, Atty. Villegas qualifies that this is in situations when the offending party fight back and puts the life of volunteers in danger. The squad will be led by retired law enforcement officers who can carry firearms. The group will also be trained to make them more effective in their jobs. Atty. Villegas remembers that when he headed the anti-crime task force during the terms of Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Simeon Aquino III, the efforts are not put to maximum use because culprits of illicit activities are given protection of those in power. He expressed optimism that in the term of President-elect Duterte, the government will be more open and impartial. However, he stressed that, CCW will remain as private individuals so that they can be more effective as a watchdog organization. Atty. Villegas pointed out that President-elect Duterte already have a list of 200 confirmed drug lords in the country. President Chiong supports the call of the CCW to put a stop to the illegal operations of criminals (JUS).