Lanao del Sur vice mayor arrested in Iligan for murder, frustrated murder

Police arrested the sitting Marantao, Lanao del Sur vice mayor over murder and frustrated murder charges.

According to the Philippine National Police, Ali Eskandar Unte Alonto III, also known as Bimmy Alonto, was arrested at an inn in San Miguel, Iligan City, at around 8:45 p.m. on Aug. 21 following a month-long tracking operation.

The 36-year-old politician is facing charges of murder and frustrated murder, which were issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 44 in Initao, Misamis Oriental on July 15.

Murder is a non-bailable offense, while the court set bail at P200,000 for the frustrated murder case.

“Ang posisyon sa gobyerno ay hindi nagbibigay ng proteksyon laban sa pananagutan. Kapag may warrant of arrest, ipatutupad ito ng ating mga pulis alinsunod sa batas at tamang proseso,” said PGEN Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Citing PNP Maj. Joann Navarro, ABS-CBN reported that the cases stemmed from a February 16, 2026 shooting incident in Barangay Tubigan, Initao, Misamis Oriental, in which two women were shot.

It added that Navarro said police have yet to establish the motive behind the shooting.

"As of ngayon pa po, wala pa po akong information as to the motive but usually pag ang motibo talaga, makukuha natin yan, ang real motive during the trial. Diyan po talaga natin ma-determine. Buti arrested naman po itong akusado, then definitely during the trial malalaman po talaga natin kung anong naging motibo kung bakit binaril niya yung dalawang biktima," Navarro added, per the outlet.

PNP said that Alonto is Region 10’s No. 3 most-wanted. 

Alonto was elected to office in the May 2025 elections with more than 8,000 votes.