Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos (Photo courtesy of the Philippine National Police)
Philippine authorities on Wednesday arrested a top leader of the extremist Abu Sayyaf rebel group who was described by the US State Department as one of the "most wanted" terrorists in the world.
A joint military and police operation led to the arrest of Khair Mundos in Paranaque City after a seven-year hunt.
Maj Gen Eduardo Ano, chief of the military intelligence service, said Mundos was staying with relatives in Paranaque City after fleeing from military operations in Mindanao.
"He came to Manila to hide," Ano said in a press briefing, adding that the arrest of Mundos is a "big blow" to the Abu Sayyaf.
"[The Abu Sayyaf] has lost one of its leaders," Ano said, adding that Mundos has been "nurtured by" the Asian terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah and was seen in the company of the network's members who are operating in the Philippines.
Lt Col Ramon Zagala, Philippine military spokesman, said Mundos served as the liaison officer of the Abu Sayyaf.
"He was reported to have channelled funds from foreign terrorist networks to the Abu Sayyaf," said Zagala.
The US State Department described Mundos as "a threat to US and Filipino citizens and interests".
Mundos is on the wanted list of the US government and carries a $500,000 reward for his capture.
He was arrested in 2004 but was rescued by his comrades from jail in 2007.