An informant tipped off the Philippine Army on the whereabouts of Vhon Martin Tanto, the infamous killer of biker Mark Vincent Garalde in a brutal shooting after a roadside scuffle.
“There was a tip from a concerned citizen that Tanto was there (Milagros, Masbate)… They recognized Tanto because his face was shown on different TV networks… and he was able to report to us that they sighted Tanto in the area,” ABS-CBN News quoted 903rd Infantry Brigade commander Fernando Trinidad during the press conference on Saturday morning.
Manila Police District director Sr. Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel told the media that Tanto was arrested by members of the 9th Infantry Division and Masbate police.
“He was captured… in Milagros. It was an open area, either he was seeking travel again to another destination,” Coronel said, adding that there were indications that Tanto planned to travel to the south.
Officials confirmed that while Tanto did not resist arrest, he also did not turn himself to the authorities, contrary to earlier reports.
“Actually he did not resist arrest… He did not surrender. We arrested him,” Trinidad said.
If the victim’s family decide to settle with Tanto, the Philippine National Police still plans to file criminal charges against the suspect.
Coronel assured the public, “In the interest of justice both to the victims and the suspect himself who is presumed innocent, I assure you that no harm will come to him.”
As for the informant, we wonder if he’ll get the P100,000 reward that Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada offered to anyone who can lead the authorities to Tanto.
