BACOLOD City Councilor Ricardo Tan and the Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) are enjoining the public to join in the fight against illegal drugs, illegal gambling, and graft and corruption in government.

Tan was among the resource speakers of the Giumpanegis Regional Convention at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center in Bacolod City on March 17.

Tan said the group is a force to reckon with.

"I am very happy that CCW is active on the closed circuit television (CCTV) of the public against illegal drugs, illegal gambling and graft, and corruption. These are among my advocacies in Bacolod City. Given that we have similar advocacies, we can work hand in hand in ensuring that we will have a community free of this social menace. We envision to see a government free of corrupt officials," Tan said.

He said officials who engaged in corruption and the illegal drug trade should be unmasked and place behind bars.

Because of this social menace, there are many people who remained in the bondage of poverty, he said.

"We do not want to lose by default against these illegal acts," he added.

Also present were CCW founding chairman Jose Malvar Villegas, President Diego Magpantay, and National chairman Melchor Chavez. (CNC)