MANILA, Philippines – Police arrested wanted Islamic militant Khair Mundos in a Manila slum Wednesday (June 11th), seven years after he broke out of jail, AFP reported.

Mundos, who has links to Abu Sayyaf, was captured in a rundown Muslim quarter near the airport, where he was staying with relatives, the police and military said after a joint raid.

Mundos, arrested in 2004 for transferring al-Qaeda funds to Abu Sayyaf leadership, was among dozens of militants who escaped from Mindanao's Kidapawan City prison in February 2007.

Manila Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo said Tuesday Mundos moved to Manila to avoid pursuit in the south.

The head of military intelligence, Major General Eduardo Ano, said Mundos's capture was a major blow for the Abu Sayyaf.

"Those people lost one of their leaders...and they will be feeling insecure," Ano told reporters.