POLICE have arrested and charged an alleged member of the Maute terror group who took part in the five-month Marawi siege in 2017, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said Tuesday, May 8.

Unday Macadato, who allegedly served as a sniper during the Marawi armed conflict, was arrested at 4:55 p.m. on Felix Manalo Street, Cubao, Quezon City.

Albayalde said police responded to complaints about a person displaying his firearms and threatening bystanders and neighbors in the area.

Recovered from Macadato were a caliber 45 pistol and a hand grenade.

Police immediately filed charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against him.

Albayalde said custodial investigation revealed that Macadato was listed on Martial Law Instruction number 1 arrest order, a list of suspected terrorists particularly in Mindanao. His name was the 519th on the list.

“If under the arrest order you can be subjected to surveillance, it’s not a warrant of arrest. You can be subjected to surveillance kaya ginagawa natin pag merong information at na-validate at nandun sila we immediately conduct intelligence build up on this people,” he said.

He said Macadato escaped from the battle in Marawi and went to Metro Manila to hide.

Albayalde said Macadato is still being investigated on his other possible illegal activities, such as providing security escort services to a "VIP" in Mindanao, and on the extent of his connection to the terrorist group. (SunStar Philippines)