DOJ eyes transfer of suspected Islamic State financier

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is exploring the possibility of transferring Myrna Mabanza, the recently arrested suspected financier of the Islamic State (IS).

In a press conference with members of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) on Friday, the DOJ said that it is currently evaluating whether Mabanza’s trial should be held in Zamboanga or Manila as they consider her a “high-profile person.”

“The facility may not be enough to contain her considering that she has numerous relatives in the Zamba-Sulu area. Transferring her to Manila to the facilities in Taguig would ensure that she will be properly guarded under the city security protocols,” state prosecutor Rex Gingoyon said in a press conference.

Gingoyon further suggested transferring the case to regional trial courts in either Taguig or Quezon City, known for their specialized "anti-terrorism courts."

However, the state fiscal also said that the agency is still evaluating about the “best option of transfer,” taking into consideration the costs in carrying the prosecutors and witnesses to other places. 

“At the moment we are still evaluating what is the best option for the government. If it would be in Zamboanga or Manila. Because we have to consider the transportation cost of the panel of prosecutors and witnesses going to Zamboanga or the cost of travelling Myrna from Zamboanga to Manila,” Gingoyon said.  

On the other hand, the Justice department said that it is also confident that they will secure a conviction against Mabanza.

“Since she was arrested, we can proceed with trial and there's a possibility if we are able to present our evidence properly against her, we would be able to convict her,” Gingoyon said. 

Mabanza, who was arrested in Sulu on Thursday, was charged with five counts of violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 10168 or The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and RA No.11479 or the The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Aside from Mabanza, the other accused are Marsan Ahaddin Ajijul, who si currently detained in Malaysia and Norkisa Omar Asnanul, both of whom have been apprehended, according to the DOJ.

She is designated as a terrorist by the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the United States for being allegedly being involved in “financing” the IS-linked Dawlah Islamiya which spear-headed the Marawi siege in 2017, together with the Maute Group. She was also reportedly involved in the financing of the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG). 

The Justice department said the financing has been conducted through remittances from Malaysia, Qatar, Indonesia, Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as other "domestic facilitators". The funds were sent directly to ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon.

The US and the ATC both alleged that Mabanza, 32, was involved in two 2016 fund transfers — one of up to $107,000 to Hapilon. 

The money transferred to the ASG leader has also been used in the 2017 Marawi Siege to buy materials, guns and ferry rebel trainers, according to the DOJ.

“Ginamit 'yan (the money) para bumili ng armas, ginamit para mga tao na posibleng nag-train ng foreign fighters at ginamit din para sa pagdala ng foreign fighters during the siege of Marawi,” DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty said. 

(The money was used to buy weapons, to possibly train foreign fighters, and also to bring in foreign fighters during the siege of Marawi.)

Following her arrest, Mabanza is currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Zamboanga. 

According to Amnesty International, 920 militants, 165 soldiers and 47 civilians were killed in the fighting during the siege of Marawi

Grey list

The recent arrest of Mabanza can also possibly remove the Philippines from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FTAF) “grey list,” the DOJ said.

When a country is included in a “grey list”, it means that it is “addressing” its deficiencies regarding money laundering and terrorism financing. 

Ty said that Mabanza’s arrest is a “significant progress” in the country’s delisting from the “grey list” as she is a “significant figure” being designated by both the US and the UN Security Council. 

“Napakahalaga na matanggal tayo sa grey list, lalo na para sa mga OFW na mga nagreremit dito,” Ty said. 

(It is very important for us to be removed from the grey list, especially for OFWs who are sending remittances here.)

In June 2021, FTAF, an intergovernmental organization combating money laundering and terrorism financing, included the Philippines in the “grey list” due to risk of money laundering and lack of prosecution for terrorism funding cases.  — with reports from Agence France Presse