CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A former Army officer wanted for a 2007 kidnapping-for-ransom case in Makati City was arrested on February 15, 2026, in Barangay Limonda, Opol, Misamis Oriental — nearly 19 years after the crime.
Police identified the suspect through his alias “Tinyente Preacher Jacob,” a former member of the Philippine Army holding the rank of Second Lieutenant and a graduate of the Scout Ranger Course.
According to Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) spokesperson Joan Navarro, the arrest was carried out through a joint intelligence-driven operation led by the Regional Intelligence Division 10 (RID-10) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Authorities said the suspect has a standing warrant of arrest for violation of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (Kidnapping for Ransom), as amended by Republic Act 7659. The warrant, dated June 29, 2007, was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 145 in Makati City, with no bail recommended.
The 2007 Kidnapping Case
Police records show that on May 24, 2007, Filipino-Pakistani businessman Tariq Mian was abducted by armed men in front of his store along Dela Rosa Street corner Santuico Street in Makati City.
Ransom negotiations reportedly led to a ₱2 million payment on June 2, 2007. Despite the payoff, the victim was not immediately released and was told he would be freed the following day.
Mian was eventually released on June 3, 2007, along N. Garcia Street in Makati City and was recovered by operatives of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), then known as PACER.
Subsequent police operations led to the arrest of several suspects.
Court records show that in 2018, Regional Trial Court Branch 150 in Makati City convicted the suspect’s co-accused — two former soldiers, a police officer, and three other individuals — sentencing them to reclusion perpetua for kidnapping for ransom.
Longstanding Fugitive
Authorities said the suspect remained at large and was included in the PNP’s Most Wanted Kidnappers list in 2011. A ₱300,000 reward was later offered under a Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum circular dated February 8, 2023.
In a statement, PBGen. Christopher N. Abrahano, regional director of PRO-10, commended the operating units for their sustained intelligence work.
“For 19 years he hid from the law, but justice has finally caught up. His arrest closes a long-standing kidnapping case where his co-accused have already been sentenced to reclusion perpetua. This sends a clear message: fugitives may run, but they cannot outrun justice,” Abrahano said.
The accused is now under the custody of the Maharlika Detention Cell in Cagayan de Oro City pending court proceedings.
