Former lawmakers raise their clenched fist together during a news conference in Quezon City. INQUIRER.net photo / Gabriel Pabico Lalu
A member of the Citizen’s Crime Watch (CCW) clarified that the group has two existing factions, and only one of which was responsible for the P1-million bounty offered for the capture of former lawmakers who were previously given arrest warrants.
“Dalawang paksyon po ‘yong Citizens’ Crime Watch, ‘yong Carlo Magno (Batalla) wing at saka ‘yong Diego Magpantay wing,” former CCW Vice President for Luzon Dr. Delmar Taclibon said during the press briefing of the Makabayan 4 on Tuesday.
“Nililinaw ko po na ‘yong bounty na P1 million na nakapatong sa magigiting nating Makabayan, wala pong kinalaman si Carlos Magno Batalla,” Taclibon added.
(I’m making it clear that the P1-million bounty placed against our courageous Makabayan, [the faction of] Carlo Magno Batalla does not anything to do with this.)
Taclibon also emphasized that they have always been supportive of the advocacies of former lawmakers Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño, Liza Maza, and Rafael Mariano who recently faced arrests for a decade-old case regarding the alleged murder of a Bayan Muna critic in Palayan, Nueva Ecija.
The court has sided with the Makabayan 4 in its decision, voiding the warrants of arrest against them.
READ: Murder cases vs Liza Maza, et al. dismissed; warrants voided
“Kami po na nakasama niyo ni Carlo sa lahat ng pakikibaka laban sa korapsyon, laban sa PDAF, laban sa DAP, ay nandito pa kami upang magpugay sa ating Makabayan 4,” Taclibon added.
(We, who were with you along with Carlo in various struggles against corruption, against PDAF, against DAP, are here in support of our Makabayan 4.)
In an interview after the briefing, he further shared details on the division inside CCW, and the relation of CCW to the progressive groups and representatives.
“Dalawa kasi ‘yong nagke-claim na presidente, ako neutral ako. Pumunta lang ako dito para linawin na walang kinalaman ‘yong Batalla ‘don,” Taclibon explained.
(There are two factions that are claiming to be president, me I’m neutral. I just went here to clarify that the Batalla faction has nothing to do with this.)
“Bakit, anong makukuha niya (Batalla) kung maglalaan siya ng isang milyon para sa ating mga Makabayan? Mga Pilipino rin ‘yan na dapat sa due process (umasa), hindi ‘yong winawagay-way pa ‘yong pera na gano’n,” he noted.
(Why, what would he get out of this if he offers one million against our Makabayan? They are also Filipinos that rely on due process, and not those waving money around for the arrest.)
CCW’s legal panel Chair Atty. Ferdinand Topacio and CCW Founding President Ding Magpantay has previously offered a bounty for anyone who could give information that will lead to the arrest of the former lawmakers.
READ: Lawyer dangles P1-M bounty for capture of 4 militant execs
Atty. Rachel Pastores, legal counsel of the Makabayan 4, warned Topacio that his actions were not in accordance to the lawyers’ Code of Professional Conduct. She also said that they are considering the filing of disbarment and civil cases against him.
READ: ‘Makabayan 4’ lawyer to Topacio: Prepare for disbarment
However, Topacio has reiterated that there is nothing wrong with raising a bounty for “fugitives.”
“I have the right to raise that bounty as a citizen, and as a member of an anti-crime watchdog […] It is not the first time that it happened. Bounties have been raised by private citizens on so many occasions,” he said. /jpv