It's Bland and Morris, and they haven't released a PR in 2018 and you know it. Please provide proof Ho is releasing BS pr's. You can't.
Why would an affiliate reduce the debt burden? Easy, to clean up the balance sheet in preparation for a monster acquisition. Happens all the time. Both will be winners, with the affiliate getting more valuable shares once converted post-acquisition.
This isn't brain surgery. One doesn't even have to think outside the box.