At 76 years old, I am not surprised if some of my new acquaintances would ask where I get the energy to pursue my advocacies as chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and as convenor of the Fight Illicit Trade (Fight IT) Movement.
And on Tuesday, May 29, the same thought came into my mind when, during the first FPI organized anti-illicit trade summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati, a new and stronger anti-illicit trade group that is backed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), the industry sector, academe and professional groups, the youth and student sector, including the religious groups, was formally launched.
Called the Anti-Crime Council of the Philippines (ACCP), the new anti-crime group, where this writer was endorsed by the FPI Board to sit as its chairman, has a broad partnership and membership base from the government’s law-enforcement agencies and various cause-oriented groups from the private sector. This would help in the campaign against all forms of illicit trade and criminality in the country.
ACCP’s complement of technically trained members from the industry and business sector, academe and students, including those from religious groups would assist the government’s law-enforcement agencies like the Police, NBI and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), among others, in addressing smuggling and all forms of illicit trade, a scourge that does not only cause hundreds of billions of pesos in lost revenues for the government, but expose consumers to various risks associated with illicit trade, as well. The nonviolent white crimes Such as money laundering, pyramiding scams and fake and damaging news among others will also be tackled by ACCP.
Indeed, May 29 was a day of reckoning for me. With my age, I thought I was doing the right thing. But if I am inspired of the successes of our various anti-smuggling and anti-illicit trade initiatives, I am even more inspired to do more for the country and the Filipino people with the deeds of Manong Johnny, the former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, PNP chief General Oscar D. Albayalde, the former PNP chief and now the current Bureau of Jail Management and Penology head Ret. General Ronald M. “Bato” dela Rosa and Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña through his representative BOC-ESS Chief Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
At 94 years old, Manong Johnny’s acceptance of our request for him to be the ACCP’s legal mind was not only touching, but an affirmation of his lifetime engagement to serve the Filipino people, as well. For his part, General Albayalde’s commitment to work closely with the ACCP is a crucial assurance for the council of help from the police. The BOC’s support for ACCP, meanwhile, could be a big dent to smuggling syndicates. And, most important, General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s acceptance of our request for him to lead the ACCP as its president, would be the council’s driving force to success.
Thus, as the first ACCP chairman, I would like to thank Manong Johnny, General Albayalde, General “Bato” dela Rosa, Commissioner Lapeña, the FPI officers and board members, the industry, business and youth sectors, academe and religious groups, for sharing their heart with the ideals of ACCP. After all, as the famous inspirational writer Rick Warren says, “Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life.” And, indeed, we all share a common purpose to help eliminate or, at least, reduce criminality and all forms of illicit trade in the country.