(Eagle News)–Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) Chairman Datu Abul Khayr Alonto has passed away.
MinDa confirmed Alonto’s death at 73 years old in a statement issued on Friday, May 10.
Reports said Alonto died due to complications from pneumonia after he underwent angioplasty.
“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.
Alonto was the first Muslim chairperson and secretary of MinDa.
He was the second son of the first Lanao del Sur Governor, Ambassador Abdul Ghaffur Madki Alangadi Alonto, with Bai Hajja Rasmia Indol Dangcal.
Alonto studied Political Science at the Cairo University in Egypt, but was a San Beda College Law student when the “Jabidah Massacre” occurred on March 18, 1968.
He organized the LAM ALIF, a Muslim Youth Group after the incident.
Members of the group became the core leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front.