AMLC freezes assets of 6 more individuals

From the Philippine Star (Jul 16, 2023): AMLC freezes assets of 6 more individuals (Lawrence Agcaoili)

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has frozen the assets of six more individuals earlier tagged as terrorists by the government’s Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).

AMLC Secretariat executive director Matthew David said the financial intelligence unit issued a freeze order against Sarah Abellon Alikes, Jennifer Awingan, Windel Balag-ey Bolinget, Stephen Ambucay Tauli, Jovencio Sannadan Tangbawan and May Rodriguez Vargas-Casilao.

The activists are alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and the Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA).

Alikes is the secretary of the Regional White Area Committee of the CPP-NPA’s Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), Awingan is the secretary of the Regional Urban White Area Committee (RUWAC) and Bolinget is a member of the Cordillera White Area Committee (CWAC) and secretary of its Regional Alliances.

Tauli is the first deputy secretary of CWAC, RUWAC of the CPP’s ICRC, while Tangbawan is commanding officer of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya of North Abra or the Agustin Begnalen Command of the CPP-NPA. Vargas-Casilao is plenary member of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the CPP-NPA and a member of its regional city and town committee.

The ATC found probable cause for violations of the ATA for committing terrorism; planning, training, preparing and facilitating the commission of terrorism; recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization; and providing material support to terrorist organizations or groups organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism.

The AMLC issued Resolution No. TF-67 freezing the properties or funds of the six individuals who are directly related or could be tied to a particular act, plot or threat as well as the property or funds of persons and entities acting on her behalf.

Under Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (TFPSA), relevant government agencies including the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Registry of Deeds, Maritime Industry Authority, and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are mandated to implement a freeze order against individuals or groups designated as terrorists by the ATC.

The covered institutions and relevant government agencies are directed to submit to the AMLC a written return containing the details required under the implementing rules and regulations of the TFPSA.

The Philippines was included anew in the gray list of global dirty money watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in June 2021 after it failed to address strategic deficiencies to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.

The FATF has urged the Philippines to implement its action plan as soon as possible.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/07/16/2281304/amlc-freezes-assets-6-more-individuals