Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

Republic Act No. 10167, which amended the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, was signed
into law June 18 and took effect July 6. It allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council to inquire
into bank accounts based on an ex parte application, without the depositor’s knowledge for a
limited period of time, and allows additional courts other than the Court of Appeals to issue asset
freeze orders.
There is no single supervisory authority responsible for entities in the non-profit sector;
coordination is insufficient. Monitoring is weak due to insufficient coordination and resources of
non-profit organization regulatory bodies.
For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, we refer you to the 2013
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and
Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.
Regional and International Cooperation: The Philippines participated in the ASEAN Defense
Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and supported the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group
on Counterterrorism that met in Washington in April. Through U.S.-sponsored counterterrorism
training, the PNP developed contacts with law enforcement agencies in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Countering Radicalization and Violent Extremism: The Philippine government continued its
counter-radicalization program: Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA (Resilient
Communities in Conflict Affected Communities). In November, the Philippines hosted the
second meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum Southeast Asia Working Group, which
focused on youth radicalization. Experts from around the region and world gathered to share best
practices and experiences in countering youth radicalization.
SINGAPORE
Overview: In 2012, Singapore’s bilateral and multilateral engagement on counterterrorism
intelligence and law enforcement cooperation was inconsistent and marked by a transactional
mindset that impeded the development of broad, deep, and predictable agency-to-agency
relationships. While some agencies have had success from time to time, Singapore appeared to
provide selective cooperation dependent upon the issue.
As of December, Singapore had detained 16 terrorist suspects. Detainees included members of
Jemaah Islamiya (JI), who had plotted to carry out attacks in Singapore in the past, and members
of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Two persons with links to terrorist groups were newly
detained in 2012. In 2012, Singapore released 23 persons on Restriction Orders (RO) and one on
Suspension Direction (SD). Detainees released on ROs and SDs were monitored by the
Singapore authorities and required to report to authorities on a regular basis.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Singapore used its Internal Security Act
(ISA) to arrest and detain suspected terrorists without trial. The ISA authorizes the Minister for
Home Affairs (MHA), with the consent of the president, to order detention without judicial
review if it is determined that a person poses a threat to national security. The initial detention
may be for up to two years, and the MHA may renew the detention for an unlimited number of
additional periods up to two years at a time with the president’s consent.
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