Task force vs money laundering, terrorism financing launched in Western Visayas
By Tara Yap
THE WESTERN Visayas Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Task Force. (PRO-6/RPIO-6)
ILOILO CITY — A task force has been launched to fight money laundering and terrorism financing in Western Visayas region.
Law enforcement and intelligence units banded together to create the Western Visayas Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Task Force in line with a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Under the DOJ Office of the Regional Prosecutor-6, the task force is composed of Police Regional Office-6, 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army, National Bureau of Investigation-6, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-6, Bureau of Customs-6, and Securities and Exchange Commission-6.
PRO-6 chief Police Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan reaffirmed their commitment to address evolving financial threats, particularly groups allegedly financing terrorists.
Cases of terrorism financing have been filed in Panay Island. Among them was two persons linked to a group trying to blackmail a contractor based in Aklan province.
“The activation of this task force marks a significant step in protecting our people and communities from the threats posed by money laundering and terrorism financing,” said 3rd ID chief Major Gen. Michael G. Samson in a statement.
The task force will cooperate in intelligence-driven operations that will lead to financial investigations and the prosecution of terrorist financiers.
The task force will also monitor suspicious financial transactions and push to boost regulatory enforcement.