Filipino arrested, detained in US for ISIS terrorist financing

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday that a Filipino green card holder was arrested and detained in Long Beach, California for allegedly sending financial support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said Mark Lorenzo Villanueva was arrested Friday on a federal criminal complaint alleging he sent a dozen payments to the ISIS.

The Office said “Villanueva, a lawful permanent resident from the Philippines, is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony offense that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.”

He was scheduled to make his initial appearance last Friday afternoon in US District Court in Los Angeles.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine consulate general in Los Angeles, continues to monitor the case of Mr. Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a Filipino US green card holder, who was detained by US authorities in Long Beach on 01 August 2025,” the DFA said in a statement.

“The DFA stands ready to provide the necessary consular and legal assistance, as appropriate,” the DFA said.