Erap sets P100K bounty for arrest of Quiapo road rage suspect

MANILA, Philippines — Former president and current Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Thursday offered a reward for the immediate arrest of the Quiapo road rage suspect.

Estrada is willing to give P100,000 to catch Army reservist suspect Von Martin Tanto or Vhon Tanto who shot cyclist Mark Vincent Garalde to death after engaging the latter in a fight and injured an 18-year-old girl, Rocel Bondo, People’s Television Network reported.

The mayor’s bounty came a day after the Manila Police District (MPD) gave Tanto until Wednesday 5 p.m. to surrender. MPD Director Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel said they wanted to catch him “dead or alive” but the deadline passed and the suspect did not show up.

READ: MPD gives Quiapo road rage suspect until Wednesday afternoon to surrender

Authorities urge Tanto to surrender

On Thursday, Coronel asked Tanto once again to surrender and promised him a peaceful arrest if he does.

“Sumuko ka na. Iwasan mo na ang sakit ng ulo. Isipin mo ang pamilya mo na nangangamba sa iyong kaligtasan. Pinapangako ko sayo kung susuko ka ng mapayapa at maayos,walang mangyayari sayo," Coronel said in a radio interview with dzBB.

Likewise, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Command chief Brig. Gen. Leoncio A. Cirunay, Jr. urged Tanto to surrender. He is hopeful that the image of other Army reservists will not be tainted due to the incident.

“’Wag naman po sana maidamay yung honor ng mga reservist na tumutulong sa atin para po sa Armed Forces at para sa ating mga kababayan. Dapat sumuko at harapin niya ang kanyang mga responsibilidad at hindi naman po talaga siya ay nasa active service,” Cirunay said in an interview with dzMM, adding that such act is not being condoned by the AFP.

The MPD identified Tanto as the driver of the Hyundai Eon shown in a CCTV footage engaging in a brawl with Garalde on Monday evening. His vehicle was earlier recovered at the house of his brother-in-law in Nueva Vizcaya by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

HPG said they already confirmed that Tanto boarded a Florida bus bound for Manila-Cubao after leaving his car at his brother-in-law's house.

RELATED: Quiapo road rage suspect’s car recovered in Nueva Vizcaya