PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte claimed on Wednesday, May 31, that the money from illegal drug trade became the source of funds in the continued proliferation of terrorism activities in the southern part of country.
“We allow drugs to proliferate. There was a time until now that the terrorism activities in the Philippines is funded and fueled by drug money. Alam naming na walang masyadong tulong ang Isis (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) sa Middle East,” Duterte said during the Philippine Navy's 119th anniversary celebration at Sasa Wharf, Davao City on Wednesday afternoon.
The president added that they were able to intercept the remittances sent by the terrorist in the country “by just examining papers” that is why Isis was not able to successfully penetrate in the country.
Duterte cited that the high-ranking official, who was apprehended during the armed conflict in Bohol last April after evading the checkpoint while attempting to rescue a wounded rebel identified as Superintendent Maria Cristina Nobleza, the deputy director of the Regional Crime Laboratory Office- Davao Region was the bridge of the Isis.
“She was not only in cahoots but she was an active player in this terrorism business," Duterte said.
In a press conference, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that the suspected Isis members identified as Rahaf Zina and Husayn Al-Dhafiri was apprehended last March this year has a link to Nobleza based on the papers. She was the recipient of the money to support the local terrorist group, Abu Sayaff Group.
Lorenzana said Zina “is linked to one of the high-ranking Isis in Syria.”
“The lady was remitting money to Nobleza. They had been contacting each other through cellphone and through remittances of money from the Syrian woman to Nobleza,” he said.