Cotabato City, Philippines  - A suspected Islamic militant allegedly involved in arson and terrorist attacks was arrested in the southern Philippines, police said Saturday.

Smawtin Basilan was arrested Wednesday at his home in Midsayap town in North Cotabato province, 930 kilometres south of Manila, according to regional police chief Chief Superintendent Bensali Jarabani.

Jarabani said the suspect was a ranking member of a rogue group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels under Commander Ameril Umbra Kato involved in deadly attacks in the area in August last year.

Jarabani added that Basilan had a bounty of 600,000 pesos (12,371 dollars) on his head for his arrest or capture.

Kato was among the three MILF commanders who attacked towns and seized villages after peace talks between the separatist group and the government broke down.

More than 300 people were killed in the attacks and subsequent clashes with government forces and more than 500,000 were forced to flee their homes. (dpa)