DAVAO Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles on Tuesday called for a deeper probe into the Maute Group's possession of P79 million worth of cash and checks recovered in Marawi City by security forces last week.
Nograles, who chairs the House appropriations committee, there is a need for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the "intricate financing network" of Isis-linked terrorist groups in Mindanao.
"The discovery of this financial stash is a grim indication that Maute and the other terrorist groups are not only well-armed and well-trained but are also well-financed," Nograles said.
Nograles is the primary author of Republic Act 10168, otherwise known as the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.
Nograles said that through RA 10168, the government though the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), is clothed with the power to freeze financial assets of those perceived to be involved in providing financial aid to suspected terrorists.
"The next step should be to trace the money trail and immediately freeze all financial assets that are tied up with the money seized in Marawi. We can debilitate these terrorists if we destroy their money pot," Nograles said.
The lawmaker added that the PNP, NBI, and the the Armed Forces of the Philippines can utilize President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao "to crush the financial infrastructure of Maute, the Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups."
Duterte on May 23 put the entire Mindanao under martial law following the Maute group's attack in Marawi City.
Its validity, however, is being questioned at the Supreme Court over the alleged "lack of factual basis" for its declaration. (SunStar Philippines)