Manila welcomes US move to cut terror funds

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http://www.gulfnews.com/world/Philippines/10057893.html

Manila welcomes US move to cut terror funds

By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent

Manila: The government welcomed US efforts to cut money flow to a charity suspected of financing terror attacks in the Philippines and other countries.

On Thursday, the US Treasury Department tagged the Philippines and Indonesian department of International Islamic Relief Organisation (IIRO) as fund-raisers for the Al Qaida terror network and moved to freeze the financial assets of one of its officials for allegedly helping bankroll terror attacks.

In a statement, the president's palace in Manila said it will take its cue from the US initiative to cut the terrorist financial lifeline, by tightly monitoring suspicious money transfers.

"We welcome the US action of cutting the money flow of terrorist cells and we shall maintain our own lawful vigilance against suspicious money transfers that fund the forces of evil," the statement said.

The government two years ago had implemented a law against money laundering, one of the aims of which is to cut the financial lifeline of militant groups, suspected terrorist and criminal syndicates.

Since its implementation, the anti-money laundering law has been instrumental in stopping the flow of money of crime syndicate groups and the local communist insurgents, but it has yet to prove its effect on militant groups operating in the Philippines under the guise of Islamic charity organisations.

On Thursday, the US Treasury Department said any assets found in the United States belonging to Abd Al Hamid Sulaiman Al Mujil, a Saudi national, will be frozen and investigated.

The department said Al Mujil provided financial support to the Al Qaida terror network and is considered a major fund-raiser for the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

The department also alleged that, among other things, the IIRO offices in the Philippines raised money for the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

"The IIRO's offices in Indonesia have funnelled money to foundations affiliated to the JI regional terror network and have helped to finance training facilities for use by Al Qaida associates," the department alleged.

Yeah! CUT OFF THE FUNDING! Rolling Eyes