COTABATO CITY – The city government’s local finance committee has approved the allocation of funds for reward money amounting to P2 million.

One million pesos would be given out to anyone who can help the authorities identify the person behind the bombing of a lechon house in front of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral last Sunday. The blast killed five and wounded more than 50 others.

And because of the recent kidnappings in the city, city officials also allotted one million pesos as bounty to whoever could give information that will lead to the arrest of kidnappers.

Cotabato City Vice Mayor Japal Guiani Jr said that giving out reward money will motivate the public, especially witnesses to such crime, to come out and tell authorities what they know about the crimes committed.

Guiani clarified however that the money will not be given out immediately. He said that there would be mechanisms that the Sangguniang Panlungsod is now working on in order to identify who shall receive the reward money.

Authorities also have to make sure first the credibility of the information given to them, he said.