MANILA -- Army reservist Vhon Martin Tanto aka Skyton Tonsky, the suspect behind the road rage shooting of a cyclist in Quiapo, was arrested inside his residence in Brgy. Poblacion East, Milagros, Masbate.
Tanto was arrested at 11:45 a.m. by operatives of the Philippine Army's Counter-Intelligence Unit assisted by local Army and Police personnel, said PA assistant chief-of-staff for civil-military operations Colonel Marcelo Burgos.
General Ricardo Visaya, AFP Chief of Staff, conveyed to MGen Eduardo Año, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, his appreciation for this accomplishment.
The AFP begun to have a particular interest in this case after Tanto was identified to be an Army Reservist. Per verification however, it surface that he is in "Inactive" status and has been virtually delisted from the rolls for failure to report to his unit since December 2015.
“The arrest proves that we do not tolerate any wrongdoings or illegal activities committed by any of our members,” said Año. “We do not want to betray the trust and confidence of the public on the Army. We will continue to pursue justice,” he said.
Tanto shot dead Mark Vincent Garalde last July 25 in P. Casal Street in Quiapo following a heated spat and brawl Monday night.
The victim allegedly came into blows with Tanto after the latter's car, a red Hyundai Eon, accidentally bumped Garalde's bicycle.
An 18-year-old girl, who was nearby, was also critically wounded after being hit by stray bullets.
Tanto was turned over to the Masbate PPO than in turn will hand him over to appropriate police authorities for appropriate filing of cases. (Sunnex/VR/PNA)