Police are investigating the suspect's role in recent bombings

Salid Abdullah, 46, described by the Philippine military as an intelligence officer for the Abu Sayyaf and a key aide to a leader of the group, was arrested on Thursday night near the southern city of General Santos.

Philippine authorities are still investigating whether he had anything to do with a series of bombs which rocked the city last month, killing 15 people.

A man who said he represented the Abu Sayyaf has claimed the group carried out the bombings.

Kidnap and murder

Senior Superintendent Jorge Aquisap said that Mr Abdullah had a 150,000-peso ($2,940) bounty on his head, and is accused of kidnapping and multiple murder on the southern island of Basilan.

The charges against him include the abduction and killing of a Roman Catholic priest, Father Roel Gallardo, two years ago.

The suspect had tried to lock himself in a cabinet, holding his own two-year-old son hostage, but was convinced by his wife to surrender, Mr Aquisap said.

The island of Basilan is where two US hostages are currently being held by the Abu Sayyaf.

Military officials said on Friday that elite US-trained Philippine forces were on standby to rescue Martin and Gracia Burnham, missionaries from Wichita, Kansas, once their location has been pinpointed.

Earlier this week an Abu Sayyaf spokesman said his group were no longer prepared to negotiate for the hostages' release and would kill the couple if they were cornered by the military.