Malacañang hands off in P1-M bounty offer for leftist leaders

Malacañang said on Sunday that it would not meddle in the P1-million reward being offered by Citizen’s Crime Watch (CCW) for the arrest of four militant leaders.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace is keeping its hands off the matter since it is a “private initiative.”

“As far as we are concerned, all aspects of this case are in the hands of the court, and we look forward to an impartial and expeditious trial,” Roque said in a statement.

Roque added that National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Liza Maza is still a Cabinet member “unless there is a directive from the president stating otherwise.”

The  P1-million bounty was put up after arrest warrants were issued against Maza, former Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna, and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis, who were all facing double murder charges.

Their fellow organization officers Vicente Cayetano, Delfin Pimentel, and Emeterio Atalan also received arrest warrants.

READ: Ocampo, former lawmakers denounce arrest warrants

CCW legal panel chair Ferdinand Topacio has said that the reward money could increase to P2 million.

Topacio’s statement was made following criticisms from militant leaders that the move was a “cheap publicity stunt.” /ee

READ: Bounty for arrest of 4 leftist leaders could increase to P2M