Suspected Al-Qaeda financier, ISIS supporter arrested in Sulu

Authorities arrested a woman who was an alleged financier of Al-Qaeda and a supporter of Islamic State in Indanan, Sulu on Thursday, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Suspect Myrna Mabanza was captured pursuant to a warrant of arrest, Super Radyo dzBB’s Mark Makalalad reported.

JUST IN: Terorista na konektado sa Islamic State at Al-Qaeda, naaresto ng mga awtoridad sa Indanan, Sulu kaninang umaga. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/vdKPRyNbRP

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 15, 2024

Mabanza is facing cases for violating the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Police said Mabanza was supposedly involved in the transfer of $107,000 to the then ISIS-Philippines leader Isnilon Hapilon in 2016.

 Law enforcement officials said she also delivered money to some ISIS members.

The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has tagged Mabanza as a facilitator who supports Al-Qaeda and ISIS-Philippines.—Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News