MANILA — In a significant breakthrough, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced the capture of Norkisa Omar Ibno (alias Norkisa Omar Annalulu), a 32-year-old administrative staff member of the Attaqwa Islamic Institute Inc.

The arrest took place in Sitio Bliss, Barangay Lanote, Isabela City, Basilan, on Sunday night. Ibno, a wanted individual in the Zamboanga Peninsula, faced charges under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (RA 10168) and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (RA 11479), as indicated in the arrest warrant issued by Judge Shaldilyn Bara Bangsaja of Regional Trial Court Branch 33, Zamboanga City, on December 20.

CIDG Chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat disclosed that Ibno’s late husband, Ramji Asnalul, had ties to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Caramat stated, “Norkisa Omar Ibno is reportedly one of the cohorts and associates of Myrna Ajijul Mabanza, listed as being in association with ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) or Al-Qaeda for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, supporting, supplying, selling, and transferring arms and other related materials to ISIL.”

Investigations revealed that Ibno received funds from Mabanza to execute terroristic acts on behalf of ASG. She is currently in the temporary custody of CIDG-Zamboanga.

Caramat emphasized the CIDG’s commitment to the intensified and aggressive campaign against terrorism, aligning with the mandate of Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

“We at CIDG will remain vigilant and steadfast in fulfilling our mission to suppress terrorism and halt anyone who seeks to threaten the peace and security of the nation,” Caramat affirmed.

(IAmigo/MNM/With reports from PNA)

MANILA — In a significant achievement, the Western Visayas police seized a staggering P40.8 million worth of shabu and apprehended a high-value individual during a buy-bust operation in Janiuay, Iloilo on Sunday.

Capt. Glen Soliman, leading the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, identified the arrested suspect as alias “Miklyn,” who was caught in the act of exchanging the illegal substance valued at P26,000.

The arrest unfolded in Sitio Siga2, Brgy. Don T. Lutero East, around 7:33 a.m. During the operation, several sachets and large packs of suspected shabu, totaling more than six kilos with a standard drug price of P40.8 million, were recovered.

While Miklyn was successfully apprehended, his companion, alias “Koi-Koi,” managed to evade arrest. The duo, operating for approximately five months, sourced their supplies from Manila, establishing themselves as significant drug sources in the province and city of Iloilo.

Capt. Soliman disclosed that Koi-Koi had a previous arrest in 2018 but utilized plea bargaining in 2021. Their primary operational focus was the city and province of Iloilo, but there were reports of their drug distribution extending to Bacolod when supplies ran low.

This significant drug bust marks the largest confiscation in Western Visayas for the year, surpassing the P20-million haul in Jaro District on Nov. 9. Additionally, three high-value suspects were apprehended during the operation, contributing to a notable reduction in the supply of illegal drugs in Iloilo. The timing is crucial, especially during the festive month of December and in anticipation of the Dinagyang Festival in late January next year.

(ai/mnm)