(UPDATE) Rebel leader with bounty nabbed in ComVal

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Security forces have arrested a ranking leader of the New People's Army rebel group in the southern Philippines, authorities said today.

A joint army and police team apprehended Jordan Donillo and a female companion on Sunday at a checkpoint along a national road in Magnaga village, Pantukan town, in Mindanao's Compostela Valley province around 5:30 p.m. local time, according to Vergel Lacambra, spokesperson of the army's 10th Infantry Division.

Donillo who goes by several aliases is facing a string of criminal charges as the commanding officer of the NPA's Front 18 operating in Compostela Valley and carries a bounty of P2.5 million ($56,800), said Antonio Rivera, spokesperson of the Southern Mindanao police.

Rivera told Xinhua by text message that authorities were able to seize from the suspects a pistol, two improvised bombs, cellular phones and other personal belongings.

The suspects were now under custody of the regional police for further investigation.

Donillo was the second ranking rebel leader captured in Mindanao in recent months.

Last October, another alleged NPA cadre was also apprehended in the northern city of Tagum.