Lanao del Sur vice mayor arrested over murder, frustrated murder cases

Philippine National Police (PNP) operatives arrested the vice mayor of Marantao, Lanao del Sur, in Iligan City over separate murder and frustrated murder cases, the PNP said Saturday.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. identified the official as Vice Mayor Ali Eskandar Unte Alonto III, also known as Bimmy Alonto, 36.

Alonto was arrested at the Crystal Inn in Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City, on Friday, 21 August, after intelligence units and tracker teams confirmed his presence in the area.

The vice mayor is facing a murder case with no bail recommended and a separate frustrated murder case with bail set at P200,000.

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

According to the PNP, Alonto ranked No. 1 on Marantao's municipal-level wanted list, No. 3 on Lanao del Sur's provincial list and No. 4 on the regional list of wanted persons of Police Regional Office 10.