The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested Marantao, Lanao del Sur Vice Mayor Ali Eskandar Unte Alonto III, alias “Bimmy Alonto,” in Iligan City after police served warrants for his arrest in separate murder and frustrated murder cases.

PNP chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Alonto, 36, was arrested at about 8:45 a.m. Friday, 21 August, at the Crystal Inn in Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City.

The operation was carried out by intelligence personnel and tracker teams from the Lanao del Sur police, who confirmed Alonto’s presence at the hotel before serving the warrants.

The warrants were issued on 15 July by Judge Jamel Tabao Mamutik of the Regional Trial Court Branch 44 in Initao, Misamis Oriental.

One warrant was for murder, with no bail recommended, while the other was for frustrated murder, with bail set at P200,000.

Following the issuance of the warrants, Alonto was placed on the wanted lists at various police levels. He was ranked No. 1 on the Marantao municipal wanted list, No. 3 on the Lanao del Sur provincial list and No. 4 on the Police Regional Office 10 list.

Nartatez said the arrest was part of his directive for police commanders to regularly update wanted-persons lists down to the municipal level and verify the status of outstanding arrest warrants.

He also linked the operation to the administration’s push to account for wanted persons and fugitives and uphold the rule of law.

“There is no holiday break for the PNP. Every second of any day is deemed important and taken as an opportunity in the interest of justice, peace and order and the rule of law,” Nartatez said.

He commended the police personnel involved in the operation, saying their work demonstrated the PNP’s commitment to pursuing wanted persons.

Nartatez said the successful arrest should also help strengthen public trust and confidence in the police.