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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US-designated 'global terrorist' arrested in Sulu

US-designated 'global terrorist' arrested in Sulu

Published Feb 15, 2024 03:33 pm

 

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A woman who was tagged by the United States (US) as a “global terrorist” for allegedly having links with terrorist groups Islamic State and Al-Qaeda was arrested in Sulu on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Authorities identified the suspect as Myrna A. Mabanza, 32.  According to the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), she is included in the “United Nations Security Council Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or the Daesh and al-Qaeda Sanctions List.”

Armed with arrest warrants, Mabanza was apprehended in Barangay Pasil, Indanan, Sulu during a joint operation.

The ATC said the operation was carried out by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), with the backing of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

“Mabanza has standing arrest warrants for five counts of violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 10168 (The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012) and RA No. 11479 (The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020) under Criminal Case Numbers 53502, 53503, 53504, 53506, and 53507, all issued on December 20, 2023 in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur with no bail recommended,” the ATC said in a statement.

Mabanza was allegedly involved in the money transfer with the late Isniion Hapilon, the Amir of Islamic State East Asia, and acted as a go-between for Haplion and Doesh forces in Syria, the ATC stated.

“She also helped facilitate the travel of a representative of a Doesh-linked terrorist group, the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), from Indonesia to the Philippines to purchase arms and to set up training courses for pro-Desh Indonesian recruits with local terrorist groups on firearms use and basic bomb-making,” it went on.

Per the Council, Mabanza's arrest is a significant development for the Philippines' nationwide operation to combat terrorism and its financing, which will help the nation's unwavering efforts to remove itself from the Financial Action Task.

The ATC, chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, lauded the offices and units involved in the joint operation which led to the apprehension of Mabanza.

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