COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 24 Nov) – Police arrested a former vice mayor in Lanao del Sur while he was confined in a hospital for charges of murder and frustrated murder.
Alinader Balindong helping settle a rido. Photo from Balindong’s Facebook page
Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius D. Ferro, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director general, identified the arrested former vice mayor as Alinader Balindong, 67, of Picong, Lanao del Sur.
Balindong, who is running for mayor in the adjacent Malabang municipality, also in Lanao del Sur, was confined at the Misamis University Medical Center in Barangay Bagakay, Ozamiz City when he was arrested by joint CIDG-Lanao del Sur and police from Ozamiz Misamis Occidental.
Balindong, also known as “Dagar,” was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued on Nov. 10 by Judge Alberto Quinto of Regional Trial Court, 12th Judicial Region, Branch 11, Malabang, Lanao del Sur.
He was linked to the murder of a market administrator of Malabang last year.
He is accused for the crime of murder docketed under Criminal Case No. 0816-2021 with no bail recommended, and frustrated murder docketed under Criminal Case No. 0817-2021 with P200,000 recommended bail.
Lawmen showed up at Balindong’s hospital room and presented him his warrant.
Balindong will remain in the hospital after his legal counsel presented an interim order with a granted motion for his hospital arrest issued by Quinto on November 22.
Ferro said the arrest was part of “Oplan Pagtugis” or the campaign against wanted persons. He added that the campaign had been effective and successful due to strong partnership with responsible citizens. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
