Pinoy arrested in California for sending payments to alleged ISIS terrorists

A 28-year-old Filipino green card holder was arrested last week by United States authorities in California for allegedly transmitting funds to suspected Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorists (ISIS).

The US Department of Justice identified the man as Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, who is charged with "attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization," an offense that carries sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

"Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security," said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli in a statement.

Records from a money transfer firm showed Villanueva sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 during a five-month period to two intermediaries who accessed the money overseas, the US DOJ said.

"We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies," Essayli said.

ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization by the US, is responsible for deadly attacks in nearly 20 other countries, including Afghanistan, France, and the United Kingdom.

It was formed in 2014 as an offshoot of Al-Qaeda and took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila said it is ready to provide "the necessary consular and legal assistance, as appropriate," to Villanueva.

In a statement, DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the department, through its consulate in Los Angeles, "continues to monitor the case of Mr. Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a Filipino US green card holder, who was detained by US authorities in Long Beach on 01 August 2025."

Patrick Grandy, acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, said Villanueva is alleged to have "financially supported and pledged his allegiance to a terror group that targets the United States and our interests around the world."

They said Villanueva communicated via social media with two individuals who self-identified as ISIS fighters. During these communications, Villanueva discussed his desire to support ISIS, and offered to send money to the ISIS fighters to support their terrorist activities, the US DOJ statement said.

Villanueva, the agency added, told one of the self-identified ISIS fighters that he wanted to fight for the extremist group himself, stating, "It's an honor to fight and die for our faith. It's the best way to go to heaven."

Villanueva also stated: "Someday soon, I'll be joining."

Prosecutors said the FBI recovered what appeared to be a bomb from Villanueva's bedroom.

In a February 2025 message with one of the self-identified ISIS fighters, Villanueva offered to send the individual money, and asked whether the money would "cover your equipment and your weapons." Villanueva discussed sending the money through an intermediary, the US DOJ said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News