PNP arrests alleged Maute sniper in QC

According to Albayalde, interrogations of Macadato revealed that he was listed in the Martial Law Instruction No. 1 (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested a suspected terrorist from the Maute group in Quezon City.

Half a month before the first anniversary of the Marawi siege, the National Capital Region Police Office Regional Police Intelligence and Operations (NCRPO-RPIOU) arrested Unday Macadato, an alleged sniper of the Maute group, in Cubao on May 7, Monday.

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde in a Camp Crame press briefing on Tuesday, May 8, revealed the suspect to the media.

According to Albayalde, interrogations of Macadato disclosed that he was in the list of almost 1,000 personalities involved in the 154-day siege. This list, or the Martial Law Instruction No. 1, was issued after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared the military rule in Mindanao on May 23 last year.

NCRPO Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said that the nabbed suspect was “a very dangerous sniper” who was in the main battle area.

The PNP Chief also said that the likes of Macadato, who were being pursued in Mindanao, put up fronts when in the capital so they would not be suspected.

“Safe haven nila ito itong Metro Manila. White area ito dahil pupunta sila rito para mag-lie-low, magpahinga, maghanap-buhay (Metro Manila is their safe haven. This is a white area they visit to lie low, rest, and seek a job) and when they earn money, they bring it back to Mindanao para bumili ng (to buy) explosives at (and) ammunition,” Albayalde said.

Macadato will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives after the authorities confiscated a caliber .45 pistol and a grenade during his arrest.

He is currently detained at the NCRPO-RPIOU for further investigation.

The police are still investigating if Macadato, as a terrorist, had plans of attacking the capital, considering it as a “big probability.”

Albayalde noted that their forces are securing Metro Manila and that this arrest was a good sign that his uniformed men are doing their jobs.