Top Islamic militant arrested in Philippines: police

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP) – A Muslim separatist rebel wanted for arson and bombings has been arrested in the southern Philippines, police said on Saturday.

Smawtin Basilan, who is a member of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and who had a 12,000-dollar bounty on his head, was arrested at his home in Midsayap town Wednesday, police said.

Basilan is believed to be a top lieutenant of MILF commander Ameril Umbrakato, one of two MILF leaders wanted for large-scale attacks on several mostly Christian towns and provinces in the south in August last year.

The attacks led to the deaths of over 300 people and the displacement of over 750,000 in what international aid agencies have described as a worrying humanitarian crisis.

While many have already returned to their homes, thousands still remain in squalid evacuation shelters and are routinely subjected to abuses by both soldiers and the MILF, rights monitors have said.

"We have information that he is the right hand of Umbrakato, but we are still verifying it," provincial governor Jesus Sacdalan said.

The arrest came as both sides were working to revive peace talks aimed at ending the MILF's 31-year-old insurgency.