Thursday, January 29, 2026

SEC orders immediate asset freeze of newly designated individuals and entities linked to terrorism financing

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a directive to all its covered persons for the immediate implementation of Sanctions Freeze Orders (SFOs) against three newly designated individuals and entities.

The move follows the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Resolutions Nos. TF-112, TF-113, and TF-114, Series of 2026. These resolutions are pursuant to the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) Resolutions Nos. 80, 81, and 82 (2025), which formally designated these parties under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

The SFOs target the following individuals and organizations suspected of involvement in or support of terrorist activities:

  • Maria Aleli De Guzman–Abrazado: Also known by numerous aliases, including Cita Managuelo, Mila, Sola, Karen, Rasi, Valentina, and Maggy.

  • Kalasan People’s Center for Environmental Concerns, Inc. (KALASAN PCECI) and Virgil P. Estrada: Including aliases Bards, Bardz, and Vards.

  • Muhammad Mohamad Solaiman/Sulaiman: Also known as Ustadz Mohamad Usman.

Under the directive, all SEC-regulated entities—including broker-dealers, investment houses, and financing companies—must take the following actions:

  1. Freeze Without Delay: Immediately freeze all funds, financial assets, or properties belonging to, or controlled by, the designated parties.

  2. Submit Reports: File a Return/Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with the AMLC within the prescribed period (typically 24 hours) regarding any frozen assets or attempted transactions.

  3. Strict Dissemination: Ensure internal dissemination of these resolutions to all relevant branches and personnel to prevent any movement of assets.  The “freeze without delay” mandate applies regardless of whether the funds or assets can be tied to a specific terrorist act, plot, or threat.

This enforcement action underscores the SEC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Philippine financial system. By cutting off the financial lifelines of designated terrorists, the Commission aims to disrupt potential threats and align the Philippines with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Failure to comply with these Sanctions Freeze Orders may subject covered persons to administrative and criminal penalties as provided under the AMLA and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.

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