THE suspect in the killing of a cyclist in Quiapo, Manila, following a traffic altercation Monday night was arrested in Masbate on Friday, an official said.
Army Chief Eduardo Año said Vhon Martin Tanto was arrested at 11:40 a.m. in East Milagros by soldiers and policemen.
He made the statement even as Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered the arrest and imprisonment of illegal vendors who would be caught going back to the sidewalks or road spaces to sell their merchandise.
He said he was trying to remove anarchy in the streets to prevent the recurrence of road-rage cases such as the killing of a biker by a former Army reservist on Monday.
Estrada made the order as five illegal vendors in Blumentritt were arrested and subjected to inquest proceedings.
The National Police, meanwhile, called for calm to avoid incidents like the shooting of a cyclist in Quiapo Monday night.
Metro Manila Police Chief Oscar Albayalde on Friday reminded road users, especially those armed with hand guns, to be responsible and control their anger.
“People who cannot control their anger should not own a gun or carry one,” he said.
The Army had earlier said it helped track down Tanto, a former reservist who was arrested in Poblacion village in Milagros, Masbate.
Tanto is set to be brought to the 9th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Milagros, Masbate, before being turned over to the Manila Police District.
Tanto, 39, is accused of shooting and killing biker Mark Vincent Garalde during an altercation along P. Casal Street in Quiapo Monday night.
Tanto was identified by witnesses through the pictures on his social media account.
The Hyundai Eon seen on the CCTV footage of the incident was traced to him through its conduction sticker.
The CCTV footage earlier showed the driver of a Hyundai Eon shooting Geralde at point blank range several times after a fistfight. Police later identified the shooter as Tanto.
Tanto’s vehicle was later recovered in Nueva Vizcaya in the house of his brother-in-law.
The Manila Police District said Tanto owned three firearms and was considered “extremely dangerous.”
Local officials had offered a P200,000 reward for his arrest.