ZAMBOANGA CITY (4 December) -- Government security forces have captured an alleged leader of the radical Rajah Solaiman Movement linked to the terrorist groups Abu Sayyaf and Jema'ah Islamiyah in Basilan, a Marine spokesman said Saturday.

Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said authorities launched an operation to track down other members of the radical group blamed for the spate of bombings in the Philippines after the capture of Feliciano de los Reyes in Lamitan town late Thursday.

"Delos Reyes was seized by soldiers and he is being interrogated in Zamboanga City ," Caculitan said.

He said de los Reyes was wanted by authorities after jumping bail from charges of illegal possession of explosives in Pangasinan in 2002.

Authorities in Zamboanga City arrested last year the alleged chieftain of the Rajah Solaiman, Ahmed Santos, and several of his followers.

Caculitan did not give details of the arrest. It was unknown if the Rajah Solaiman Movement was planning an attack, but the group was said to have targeted in the past places frequented by Western tourists, including Malate in Manila.

He said de los Reyes, also known as Ustadz Abubakar, would be flown to Manila for further investigation.

Delos Reyes' arrest came ahead of the visit next week of top US military officials in Jolo Island . American forces are helping Filipino troops capture leaders of the Abu Sayyaf and two JI bombers, Dulmatin and Umar Patek, both wanted by Jakarta for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 200 mostly Western tourists.

The military said some commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front sheltered the Rajah Solaiman militants in Mindanao, but this was denied by the rebel group, which is currently negotiating peace with Manila.