Camp Col. Romeo A. Abendan, Zamboanga City – Combined police operatives of Regional Intelligence Unit 9-PNP-Intelligence Group, 5th Special Action Battalion of PNP SAF, Regional Maritime Unit 9, Regional Intelligence Division 9, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, Ipil Municipal Police Station and Payao Municipal Police Station conducted joint law enforcement operation against wanted person at Brgy. Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay at 1:00 AM of December 7, 2020.
PBGEN. Ronaldo L. Llanera, Officer-In Charge, PRO9 said the operation resulted in the arrest of Omar Salikala Jain, 36 years old, male, married, and a resident of Poblacion, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, who was arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest for the Crime of Kidnapping for Ransom and Serious Illegal Detention with Homicide docketed under Criminal Case Nr. 15-032, issued by Hon. Judge Ruben N. Bance, RTC 9th Judicial Region, Branch 29, San Miguel, Zamboanga Del Sur, dated October 21, 2020, with no bail recommended.
Omar Salikala Jain is an Abu Sayyaf Group member under the late ASG Sub-leader Sibih Pisih and Idang Susukan where he served as the facilitator of the Kidnap for Ransom activities of the ASG Sulu-based and as a transporter of the kidnap victims from Zamboanga Peninsula to Sulu province.
He is one of the principal suspects in the Garban’s kidnapping incident in Pitogo, Zamboanga Del Sur last March 31, 2015, where they abducted the grandson of Pitogo Mayor Richard Garban identified as Zynielle Jay Garban, 3 years old, and son of Brgy. Poblacion Chairman Jay-Jay Garban identified as ace Jay Garban, 4 years old including the bakery worker/helper identified as Ledegie Tomarong, 16 years old.
He is also connected with the Sabtal and Barahama Ali Criminal Gangs based in Zamboanga Sibugay who are involved in kidnap for ransom, robbery and hold up, sea piracy, extortion and illegal drugs. Further, he was linked with the group of Criminal Gang leader Abral Abdusalam and Ustadz Bayani Abdurahman, who were recently killed during the armed encounter with the military authorities in R.T. Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay last September 2020. Arrested accused is now under the temporary custody of Ipil Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
(PCpt. Edwin A. Duco, Chief Public Information Officer)
(Source: Public Information Office – Police Regional Office IX)