In this May 18, 2015 photo, MNLF Chair Datu Abul Khayr Alonto speaks during a joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Local Government, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, and Constitutional Amendments and Revion of Codes on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/Raffy Lerma
DAVAO CITY — Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) Chairman Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto has passed away Thursday, May 9, in Quezon City due to complications from a heart problem. He was 73 years old.
Alonto was confined for 10 days at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), according Alonto’s great grand uncle Iman Lucman, who told Inquirer in a Facebook interview late Thursday.
Lucman said Alonto was confined at NKTI for an angioplasty procedure. The MinDa chief died 10:40 p.m.
“He was recovering already but hindi na kinaya ng heart,” he said.
The MinDa family, in a statement released Friday morning, mourned the loss of Alonto.
“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,” MinDa said. /kga