MANILA— The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured the forfeiture of ₱217,165 in a bank account belonging to Abdulpatta Escalon Abubakar, a Filipino designated international terrorist linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS).

The AMLC announced the forfeiture on Monday following a ruling by the Manila Regional Trial Court.

Abubakar, 60, was born in Tuburan, Basilan, and allegedly served as a key financial, logistical, and material facilitator for ISIL in the Philippines beginning in January 2016. He reportedly worked closely with Isnilon Hapilon, the group’s leader in Southeast Asia.

Philippine authorities began scrutinizing Abubakar following intelligence reports linking 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, prompting an investigation into his bank accounts for possible violations of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

Authorities believed the funds were used to acquire weapons and ammunition, as Abubakar was also reportedly involved in procuring materials for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Reports indicated that he procured IED materials and firearms and ammunition under Hapilon’s direction in early 2016, channeled about US$20,000 for weapons purchases in July 2016, and facilitated a US$50,000 transfer to the ISIL network in the Philippines in August 2016.

Abubakar was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States Department of the Treasury in February 2018 and was also listed by the United Nations Security Council.

“The successful forfeiture demonstrates the indispensable role of financial intelligence and asset recovery measures in disrupting terrorism financing. By depriving terrorist facilitators of access to funds and financial services, authorities can impede their ability to plan, support, and sustain terrorist activities,” the AMLC said in a statement.

“This forfeiture highlights the importance of financial investigations as a key component of the country’s counter-terrorism financing framework. The AMLC remains committed to pursuing financial investigations and forfeiture actions against funds and assets linked to terrorism financing, in line with applicable laws, international obligations, and commitment to global efforts against terrorism,” it added. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)