Bomb plot suspect arrested

MANILA (AFP) - An Islamic militant accused of plotting a foiled 2005 bomb attack has been detained, police said Thursday.

Ricardo Ayeras, described by the authorities as a founding member of the Rajah Solaiman Movement, was arrested in a police raid in Manila on Sunday, they said.

The Rajah Solaiman is closely allied to the Abu Sayyaf, a militant Islamic group with alleged ties to Al-Qaeda that is blamed for the worst terrorist attacks in the country.

Police said the group was made up of Christians who had converted to Islam, and had been blamed for a number of bombings.

They said Ayeras, who goes by the name Abdul Kareem Ayeras, had been charged with rebellion over a foiled bomb attack in Manila in 2005.

A lower court in Manila issued an arrest warrant last month and recommended the suspect should not be granted bail.