Courtesy: PNP PIO
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) wants the trial and detention of arrested alleged financier of terrorist groups be held in any court in National Capital Region.
In a press conference held on Friday, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rassendell Rex Gingoyon revealed, alongside officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and other government agencies, that they are exploring the possibility of requesting the transfer of the case’s venue from Zamboanga City to any court in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Furthermore, Gingoyon disclosed that the DOJ may also pursue transferring the custody of the suspect, Myrna A. Mabanza, 32, to the National Capital Region Police at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.
Such a trial and custody transfer, according to him, would be cost efficient for both prosecutors and witnesses, eliminating the need to travel to Zamboanga City, and reducing exposure to unnecessary risks.
Mabanza is listed on both the United States Specially Designated Global Terrorist list and the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions list.
Mabanza was apprehended on February 15, 2024, in Brgy. Pasil, Indanan, Sulu, during a law enforcement operation conducted by a coalition of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), NICA, and AMLC.
This operation was executed through the execution of arrest warrants.
She faces five counts of violating Republic Act No. 10168 (The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012) and RA No. 11479 (The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020), as indicated in Criminal Case Numbers 53502, 53503, 53504, 53506, and 53507, all issued on December 20, 2023, in Zamboanga City with no bail recommended.
Mabanza was allegedly involved in transferring funds to the late Isnilon Hapilon, leader of Islamic State East Asia, and acted as a liaison between Hapilon and Daesh elements in Syria, as posted on abogado.com
She also facilitated the travel of a representative of a Daesh-linked terrorist group, Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), from Indonesia to the Philippines, aiding in the acquisition of arms and organizing training sessions for pro-Daesh Indonesian recruits alongside local terrorist groups, focusing on firearms use and basic bomb-making techniques.
The arrest of Mabanza is regarded as a significant development in the Philippines’ comprehensive campaign against terrorism and terrorism financing, which is expected to contribute positively to the country’s efforts to be removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List.
