Lanao town vice mayor arrested for murder

MANILA, Philippines — A municipal vice mayor in Lanao del Sur who has been wanted for murder was arrested in Iligan City on Friday night.

Vice Mayor Ali Eskander Alonto III, 36, of Marantao town was collared at Crystal Inn in Barangay San Miguel, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Probers said Alonto had been under surveillance for several days after authorities received information that he was staying at the inn.

The arrest was based on warrants issued by a local court in Misamis Oriental for murder and frustrated murder.

For the case of murder, no bail was recommended for Alonto’s temporary liberty. For frustrated murder, the court recommended a bail of P200,000.

The PNP said Alonto was the fourth most wanted person in Northern Mindanao and the third in Lanao del Sur.

“His arrest shows the PNP’s determination to locate wanted people and serve warrants regardless of their status or position,” Nartatez said.

Bomb suspect nabbed

Meanwhile, one of the suspects in the bombing of a transportation terminal in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat in 2023 was arrested on Friday.

The suspect, identified as Joher Sapalon, alias Tarzan, suffered a gunshot wound in the knee after he allegedly engaged the arresting team in a shootout in Barangay Udtong in Lambayong town.

Probers said the suspect, who tried to escape, yielded a pistol. He was brought to a hospital for treatment before he was taken to the police station.

Records showed the suspect has pending charges for violating Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terroirism Act, and two counts of murder, which are non-bailable offenses.

Earlier, the government offered a cash reward of P145,000 in exchange for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.

Seven people including three minors were injured when an improvised explosive device went off at the Isulan Integrated Transportation Terminal in Barangay Kalawag II in April 17, 2023.

Aside from the bomb attack, the suspect was accused of killing two members of a barangay peacekeeping team in Lambayong in July 2021, probers said.