Alleged Maute financier nabbed in Valenzuela
A suspected financier of the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorist group was arrested in Valenzuela City, police announced yesterday.
Aminkisa Romato Macadato was nabbed based on martial law arrest orders 1 and 2 of the Department of National Defense, according to the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Chief Superintendent Noli Romana, CIDG deputy director for administration, said Macadato is the son of former mayor Ibrahim Macadato of Butig, Lanao del Sur and nephew of Farhana Maute, matriarch of the Maute brothers Omar and Abdullah.
Armed with a search warrant, members of the CIDG National Capital Region, CIDG Eastern Police District, National Capital Region Police Office, Special Action Force and the military swooped down on the suspect’s hideout along P. Santiago street in Barangay Paso de Blas at around 5:15 a.m. on Oct. 7.
“Follow-up operations of intelligence operatives and security forces led to his location in Valenzuela,” Romana said.
Police said they recovered a .45-caliber pistol, a hand grenade and ammunition from Macadato.
He was allegedly involved in the attack on a detachment of the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bayabao, Butig in February 2016, which left two soldiers dead and six others wounded.
Macadato allegedly facilitated the collection of firearms, ammunition and food supplies for Maute rebels in Butig.
While hiding in Valenzuela, Macadato allegedly provided the Maute group with logistics and money.
He is being held at the Valenzuela police jail on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian lauded the arrest of Macadato.
Gatchalian said the city remains safe and peaceful despite the arrest of a sus- pected terrorist.
“With his capture, the Maute terrorist group crumbled. The city government will continue to work with police to ensure the safety of the public,” he said. –