MANILA — Another terrorist financier was arrested in Quezon City following the arrest of a suspected supporter of the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)-inspired Maute terror group last week.
Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) National Capital Region (NCR) director Senior Superintendent Wilson Asueta identified the suspect as Abulbatta Abubakar alias “Kitong” or “Imran”, who is an alleged member and financier of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
According to Asueta, Abubakar was arrested for kidnapping and serious illegal detention for his alleged involvement in the Sipadan kidnapping incident in Sabah, Malaysia in 2000.
The PNP claimed that Abubakar sent money to ASG leaders Radullan Sahiron and Isnilon Hapilon while he was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 1997 until this year.
Abubakar was earlier arrested on Sept. 26, 2017 when he arrived in the country from Saudi Arabia, however, he was immediately released by the Bureau of Immigration for lack of evidence. (PNA)