PNoy authorizes P2-M reward for information on Stephanie Nicole's killer

President Benigno Aquino III has authorized a P2-million reward for information leading to the killer of stray bullet victim Stephanie Nicole Ella, Malacañang said Sunday. But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the information will also have to lead to the conviction of the killer. “(The reward is for) information leading to the arrest and conviction, [ito] ang sabi ng pangulo," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Ella, 7, was buried in Bulacan Saturday, nearly two weeks after she was hit by a stray bullet in the head while watching fireworks outside her Caloocan City home during the New Year revelry. She died at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City last Jan. 2, after suffering eight heart attacks. Her death triggered national outrage and sparked debates on gun control, although President Benigno Aquino III had voiced doubts if a total gun ban is the solution to criminality. At Nicole's burial last Saturday, her father Jay voiced fears the case may grow cold once media attention on the case wanes. Meanwhile, Valte said Aquino has received information on leads in the case, but would not mention these leads lest the subject be tipped off. “The president begged off from mentioning the details so as not to tip off the subject,” she said. — LBG, GMA News