DAVAO CITY (May 10) — Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) Chairman Abul Khayr Alonto, 73 years old, at 10:40 last night, he was 73.
Alonto died of complications from a heart problem while recovering from angioplasty procedures at the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City.
Professor Moner Bajunaid, a former commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and one of Alonto’s friends confirmed his death.
“Alonto is remembered for his continuing struggle for the Bangsamoro right to self-determination. He left his mark both as a diplomat and government servant. He will be missed by many,” Bajunaid said.
Alonto served as the chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA). He assumed office as MINDA Secretary on September 9, 2016.
He served as vice mayor of Marawi in 1972 and as acting city mayor in 1974. He also used to be the speaker of the defunct Regional Autonomous Government (RAG), a predecessor of the then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that has just been replaced by the newly installed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
His family at MinDa mourns the loss of their boss whom they said was a very noble public servant.
“A Life dedicated to advance the lives of all Mindanaoans, Secretary Alonto unselflessly and unrelentlessly fought for Mindanao until the end, a true warrior for development and advocate of peace”. – Taher G. Solaiman/NewsLine.ph