A MAYORALTY candidate in Malabang, Lanao del Sur was arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for a murder and frustrated murder case, a report to PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos said on Friday.

Former Picong, Lanao del Sur Vice Mayor Alinader Mariam Balindong alias ‘Badar’ was placed under arrest inside the Misamis University Medical Center in Ozamis City where he is under confinement last Tuesday, said PNP-CIDG director, Major Gen. Albert Ignatius D. Ferro.

Balindong had filed his candidacy for the mayoralty post of Malabang municipality which is adjacent to Picong town where he used to be a vice-mayor, the PNP-CIDG head said.

Ferro said the suspect was arrested on the strength of a warrant for murder with no bail recommended and a frustrated murder case with a P200,000 bail recommended issued by Judge Alberto Quinto of the Malabang Regional Trial Court Branch 11 last November 10.

The criminal cases were filed in connection with a 2020 shooting incident which led to the killing of the market administrator of Malabang, the official said.

According to Ferro, the lawyer of the 67-year-old Balindong presented a court interim order which granted their motion to have the accused placed under “hospital arrest.” Quinto issued the order last Monday, too.

The official said the arrest of the mayoralty candidate was in line with their stepped-up conduct of Oplan: Pagtugis which aims to account for all wanted persons in their list.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon