AFP welcomes freezing of Islamic group's bank accounts

MANILA, Philippines - The military welcomed the order yesterday of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to immediately freeze the property and bank accounts of the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) after the United Nations included the group in the list of al-Qaeda affiliates.

IIRO, an international organization supposed to address the needs of displaced Muslims in the country, was found to be channeling funds from al-Qaeda to local and foreign terrorists operating in the Philippines.

The IIRO had reportedly stopped operations in the country after the arrest of its key leaders and members in 2006, but the organization revived its activities in 2009.

In resolution no. TF-0, the AMLC likewise ordered the freezing of assets and bank accounts of members of the Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) that were identified in UN Security Council Resolution No. 1267 as part of the al-Qaeda terror network.

“The move of the AMLC will significantly contribute to our efforts of combating terrorism. This will help the AFP and other law enforcement agencies in tracking them down and tracing the source of terror funds and money trail of suspected terrorist individuals,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr.

Burgos said publishing the names of suspected terrorists would hamper the movements of their financiers and fund sources.

He said the AMLC order would also raise public awareness about the terror groups and their members.

Among the AMLC designated terrorists were arrested RSM members Ricardo Perez Ayeras of Barangay Poblacion, Mandaluyong City; Redendo Cain Dellosa of Sta. Ana, Manila; Feliciano Semborio de los Reyes Jr. of Lamitan, Basilan; Pio Abogne de Vera of Barangay Bagac, Bagamanok, Catanduanes.

Also included was Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Totoni Hapilon of Lantawan, Basilan who is reportedly still hiding in Sulu.

Hapilon was one of the Abu Sayyaf leaders who kidnapped Americans Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero and several others at the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan on May 27, 2001.

Sobero was later beheaded in Basilan while Martin Burnham was killed in a crossfire during rescue operations in the Zamboanga peninsula. Burnham’s wife Gracia survived and is now back in the US.

Hapilon was indicted in the District of Columbia for his alleged involvement in terrorist acts against US citizens in the Philippines.

The AMLC also warned the public against directly dealing and transacting business with associates of slain Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani as well as arrested Salim Salamuddin Julkipli and detained RSM spiritual leader Ruben Estano Lavilla, of Lambunao, Iloilo.

Also ordered frozen by the AMLC were funds, properties and assets of arrested and convicted bomber Yunos Umpara Moklis from Lanao; RSM member Dinno Amor Rosalejos of Cebu City; Abu Sayyaf commander Radulan Sahiron and Jailan Antel Sali Jr.

The AMLC order also covers the assets of RMS founder Hilarion del Rosario Santos of Sangandaan, Caloocan City, and of member Angelo Ramirez Trinidad of Gattaran, Cagayan.

The order also includes Zulkifli Abdul Hir, a Jemaah Islamiyah member of Muary Johor Malaysia; Agus Dwikarna of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and detained Taufik Rifki of Surakarta, Central Java.

Aside from freezing all financial transactions and dealings of IIRO, the AMLC is also putting on hold JI- and RSM-related transactions.

“With this encouraging development, the AFP will continue to intensify its information sharing, training and intelligence with our partner agencies until our shared goal of a sustainable peace and development for our country is achieved,” Burgos said.