An Australian religious extremist, who is considered as one of the most influential backers of the jihad in Iraq and Syria, was arrested by police in central Philippines on Friday morning.

Local media quoted Police Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa as saying that Australian national Musa Cerantonio was arrested in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu province at 5:30 a.m. local time on Friday.

Capa said Cerantonio was arrested by virtue of a warrant of deportation issued by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.

The official rejected to disclose whether Cerantonio is involved in terrorist activities in the country.

The Australian is considered as one of the most influential backers of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham (ISIS), which currently dominates parts of Iraqi territory.

Cerantonio allegedly used social media to recruit supporters for a jihad against the West and encourage people to join ISIS. Endi