The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured the forfeiture of a P217,165 bank deposit belonging to a Filipino man identified by authorities as a financial facilitator for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS.
In a statement on Monday, the AMLC said the Manila Regional Trial Court ordered the forfeiture of the funds held in a bank account under the name of Abdulpatta Escalon Abubakar, 60.
Authorities identified Abubakar, who was born in Tuburan, Basilan, as an internationally designated terrorist linked to ISIL in the Philippines. He allegedly served as a key financial, logistical and material facilitator for the group beginning in January 2016 and worked closely with Isnilon Hapilon, its leader in Southeast Asia.
Philippine authorities began investigating Abubakar after intelligence reports linked him to terrorism financing. Law enforcement officials reported that he facilitated the transfer of funds from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines through the wives and relatives of Abu Sayyaf Group members.
The investigation examined his bank accounts for possible violations of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
Reports cited by authorities said Abubakar procured materials for improvised explosive devices, as well as firearms and ammunition, under Hapilon’s direction in early 2016.
He also allegedly channeled about US$20,000 for arms purchases in July 2016 and facilitated a US$50,000 transfer to the ISIL network in the Philippines the following month.
The United States Department of the Treasury designated Abubakar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in February 2018. He was also listed by the United Nations Security Council.
The AMLC said the forfeiture demonstrates how financial investigations and asset recovery can disrupt terrorism financing by cutting off access to funds and financial services.
“By depriving terrorist facilitators of access to funds and financial services, authorities can impede their ability to plan, support, and sustain terrorist activities,” the council said.
The AMLC added that it would continue pursuing financial investigations and forfeiture actions involving funds and assets linked to terrorism financing, in accordance with Philippine laws and international obligations.
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