Bayan exec slams Topacio’s P1-M bounty offer as ‘lame publicity stunt’

The P1 million reward money being offered for the arrest of four militant leaders is “nothing but a lame publicity stunt,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Renato Reyes.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio earlier offered the bounty for the arrest of former Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño, former Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza and former Agrarian Reform Secretary and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.

READ: Lawyer dangles P1-M bounty for capture of 4 militant execs

“The reward money for the arrest of Satur, Liza, Teddy and Paeng is nothing but a lame publicity stunt that unfortunately endangers the lives of the four accused,” Reyes told reporters in a text message Saturday.

Reyes questioned the “PR gimmick” of Topacio since the Palayan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Nueva Ecija is already set to decide on the motion for reconsideration of the four accused.

He said prosecutors on Friday did not object to the motion seeking the dismissal of the “false charges” against the former lawmakers.

“What does CCW [Citizen’s Crime Watch] and Topacio now hope to achieve with this stunt?” Reyes asked.

He also slammed Topacio and the CCW for portraying the four as “criminals,” when “once upon a time, [they have] rubbed elbows and marched with the four on different issues.”

The Palayan City RTC earlier ordered the four militant leaders arrested over a multiple murder case.  /muf

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