A FILIPINA included in the United States’ list of international terrorists was arrested by combined security forces in Sulu yesterday, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) said.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, ATC chairman, said Myrna A. Mabanza, 32, is a “financing facilitator” of local and international terrorist organizations.
Mabanza, who was arrested in Barangay Pasil, Indanan town at around 5:50 a.m., is on the US Specially Designated Global Terrorist list and the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions list.
She has arrest warrants for five counts of violation of RA 10168 or the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020 and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 issued by local courts with no bail recommended.
Mabanza was allegedly involved in the transfer of $107,000 to local terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon in January 2016. She also served as an intermediary between Hapilon and members of the Islamic State in February 2016.
Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf who had been anointed as Islamic State “emir” or leader in Southeast Asia, was killed in October 2017 in a military operation during the “Marawi City siege.” He was also in the US list of most wanted terrorists.
Mabanza, in March 2016, facilitated another transfer of funds to Hapilon, and coordinated with a terrorist in Syria for the planned transfer of funds to Hapilon.
In April 2026, she helped a terrorist from Indonesia travel to Basilan to meet with Hapilon.
Mabanza was brought to Zamboanga City for disposition.
The ATC said “Mabanza’s arrest marks another positive note for the Philippines’ whole-of-the-nation approach campaign to address terrorism and terrorism financing that will reflect well to contribute in the country’s unyielding efforts to get out of the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.”
“The ATC commends the efforts of the offices and units involved in the successful operation on the arrest of Mabanza,” the ATC said.
The Financial Action Task Force is an intergovernmental organization combating money laundering and terrorism financing. It added the Philippines to the list in June 2021 for what it said was the risk of money laundering from casino junkets and lack of prosecution for terrorism funding cases, among other reasons. – With Reuters
