ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/2 March) — A Jordanian national linked to suspects in the December 2025 terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia, was apprehended in Pagadian City at around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, 2 March. The operation, led by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), was supported by units of the 102nd Infantry (Igsoon) Brigade of the Philippine Army, including the 53rd Infantry Battalion and intelligence elements under Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division. The Jordanian, identified as 65-year-old Mohammad Odeh Saleh Odeh, was arrested for overstaying and engaging in gainful business without the proper visa or permit, violating Section 37(a)(7) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. Odeh was apprehended at his business establishment and placed under custody for documentation and legal proceedings. The arrest followed a security review by Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN/1st Infantry Division, which found his business linked to suspects in the 14 December 2025 attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, where 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed during a Jewish community event. Tagged as a person of interest, Odeh’s travel and immigration records revealed frequent travels between Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, the UAE, Qatar, and Malaysia from 2014 to 2025. While he held a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) valid until March 2025, he overstayed in the Philippines by approximately ten months. Initial investigations have not established his direct involvement in terrorist activities, but authorities will continue coordinating with national and international partners to assess potential security concerns. (Richel V. Umel/MindaNews)
