Abul Khayr Alonto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abul Khayr Alonto
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| Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority | |
| In office September 9, 2016 – May 9, 2019 |
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| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Luwalhati Antonino |
| Succeeded by | Emmanuel Piñol |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto
October 30, 1945 Marawi, Lanao Philippine Commonwealth |
| Died | May 9, 2019 (aged 73) Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Spouse | Bai Norhata Macatbar Demarunsing Alonto |
| Children | 6 |
| Residence | Iligan City |
| Alma mater | Cairo University San Beda College |
| Occupation | Lawyer, businessman |
| Profession | Politician |
Datu Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto (born October 30, 1945 – died May 9, 2019) was an important Filipino businessman and politician. He was chosen by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 to lead the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). He was the first Muslim person to hold this important position. He served as MinDA's leader until he passed away in 2019.
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Early Life and Education
Abul Khayr Alonto was born on October 30, 1945. His birthplace was Dansalan, which is now known as Marawi City. This city is in the Lanao del Sur province. His father, Abdul Ghaffur Madki Alangadi Alonto, was a former Philippine Ambassador to Libya. He was also the first governor of Lanao del Sur. Abul Khayr had four brothers and one sister.
He studied Political Science at Cairo University in Egypt. Later, he became a student at San Beda College of Law in the Philippines. While studying law, Alonto started a Muslim youth group called LAM ALIF. He formed this group after the Jabidah Massacre in 1968. Because of his involvement in the Bangsamoro struggle, he did not become a lawyer. Many members of his LAM ALIF group later became important leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Political Journey
In 1972, Alonto was elected as the vice mayor of Marawi City. He was the youngest city leader in the country at that time. In 1974, he was supposed to become the acting mayor of Marawi. However, he decided to join his MNLF friends. He went "underground" to fight against unfair actions during the Martial Law period.
He served as the vice chairman for Nur Misuari in the MNLF. He also led the MNLF Northern Mindanao Regional Revolutionary Committee.
Working for Autonomy
In 1979, after the 1976 Tripoli Agreement was signed, Alonto helped create the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). He was elected as an Assemblyman. He also served as the temporary head of the Regional Autonomous Government. Later, he was chosen as the Speaker of the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly.
In 1982, Alonto started the Muslim Federal Party. This party helped Muslims take part in the Protest Movement. He also became the Vice President for Mindanao for the Nacionalista Party.
Supporting Federalism
Alonto was a Deputy Secretary General during the 1986 Snap Presidential Election. He studied federalism in countries like Malaysia, USA, Germany, and Switzerland. In 1994, he was appointed as an Ambassador to Nigeria and 21 other African countries.
In February 2014, the original members of the MNLF Central Committee chose Alonto as their Chairman. He strongly supported the Bangsamoro Basic Law. This law aimed to create a new self-governing area called the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. This new region would replace the ARMM.
Leading MinDA
On September 9, 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Alonto as the third chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). This was a very important position, like being a Department Secretary. He was the first Muslim person to lead MinDA since it was created in 2010. He was one of five Muslim members in President Duterte's cabinet.
As MinDA chair, Alonto also held other important roles. He was the Philippine Senior Official for BIMP-EAGA. He was also a member of the NEDA and TIEZA Boards.
Business Ventures
Abul Khayr Alonto was also involved in business. He became the Chairman of Janoub Philippines Development Corporation. This company was one of the first to bring foreign investments to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). They especially helped develop the region's palm oil industry. He was also a board member of National Steel Corporation.
Family and Passing
Abul Khayr Alonto was married to Bai Norhata Macatbar. They had six children: Amera, Ayesha Merdeka, Ameena Rocaya, Abdul Gaffur II, Abul Khayr Amalon II, and Akhzanuniza.
Alonto passed away on May 9, 2019, around 10 p.m. He was 73 years old. He died due to lung and heart problems. He had an angioplasty operation, but his body could not recover from complications caused by pneumonia. He died at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City.
