By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – A national-level most wanted bombing fugitive and a Lanao del Sur vice mayor facing murder charges have been arrested in separate operations.
In a news release over the weekend, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that Joher Sapalon (alias Tarzan/Tarsan), who is linked to the 2023 Isulan public terminal bombing, was arrested in Sultan Kudarat on Friday with a gunshot wound to the leg after a brief shootout.
Aside from the bombing, Sapalon faces two murder charges for the 2021 killings of two village security officers in Lambayong town.
Following the shootout, police seized a 9mm pistol from the suspect before hospitalizing him under tight guard prior to his court presentation.
Meanwhile, Marantao, Lanao del Sur Vice Mayor Ali Eskandar Unte Alonto III (alias Bimmy Alonto) was taken into police custody in Iligan City, also on Friday, for murder cases.
Alonto, among the top wanted fugitives at the municipal, provincial and regional levels, faces a no-bail murder charge and a frustrated murder case issued by a Misamis Oriental court on July 15. (PNA)
