Photo courtesy of 1st Infantry Division.
A Jordanian man was detained in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, in connection with suspects involved in a December 2025 terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia.
The Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID) identified the suspect as 65-year-old alias “Odeh,” who was apprehended at his business establishment on Monday.
Odeh was taken into custody for violating the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, after overstaying in the country and conducting business without the required visa or permit, the 1ID said.
The operation followed a security review by the 1ID and Joint Task Force-Zampelan, prompted by information indicating that Odeh’s business in the Philippines had links to suspects in the December 14, 2025 attack near Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
The assault targeted the Jewish community’s “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Australian authorities classified the incident as an antisemitic terrorist attack.
Philippine authorities flagged Odeh as a person of interest, leading to coordinated legal and immigration measures to address potential security concerns.
Records show that from 2014 to 2025, Odeh frequently traveled to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Malaysia. His temporary residence visa in the Philippines, granted in 2023, expired in March 2025.
Authorities clarified that initial investigations have not established Odeh’s direct involvement in the Sydney attack, but coordination with domestic and international partners continues to assess any potential security threats.