MANILA, Philippines -- Police officers and informants can partake of the P25-million reward fund proposed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for information on political killings by simply arresting or pointing to Bantay partylist Representative Jovito Palparan, a fellow lawmaker said.

Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano said the Court of Appeals and the reports of independent fact finding body such as the Melo Commission have linked the retired general to a number of cases of political killings.

“Police officers who want to make a fortune and collect instant cash from President Macapagal-Arroyo’s so-called P25-million reward fund to end political killings have only one thing to do… to arrest General Jovito Palparan,” Mariano said in a statement.

“Effect the arrest of Palparan and the people will know that Ms Arroyo is again lying through her teeth,” Mariano added.

Sought for comment, Palparan said the statement was mere “propaganda.” He refused to elaborate, saying he was in a meeting.

The President has proposed the setting up of a P25-million reward fund, and even called on lawmakers to pitch in using their pork barrel.

Mariano said that in its December 26 decision granting the privilege of writ of amparo to brothers Reynaldo and Raymond Manalo, the Court of Appeals wrote that even if Palparan’s “direct” and “personal” role in the abduction was not established, his knowledge of the condition of the brothers during their captivity showed his command policy that “encouraged” extrajudicial and forced disappearances.

The Melo Commission, the body created by the President to look into the killings, in its report also stated that “Palparan and perhaps some of his superior officers may be held responsible for failing to prevent, punish or condemn the killings under the principle of command responsibility,” Mariano said.